Stan Kroenke forced me to complete unpopular Arsenal transfer - I only have one big regret

may not be one of the most popular figures at nowadays - but there was once a point in time where the French star was a beloved player for the Gunners.

Nasri joined Arsenal in 2008 from Marseille in a deal worth around £12million, and quickly became a fan favourite with some mesmerising play, enshrining himself as one of the 's most exciting attackers in a division filled with talent.

However, his stay in north London lasted only three years, with the then-24-year-old completing a move to Manchester City in 2011 for £24million. It was a deeply unpopular move for Arsenal fans, with City having previously signed and Kolo Toure in 2009 before moving to bring in both Nasri and Gael Clichy in the same summer transfer window. It was also the same summer in which Cesc Fabregas left the club, returning to Barcelona in a £30million move.

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At the time, Nasri stated that his move was about winning titles and not money, with the French star going on to lift the Premier League title twice during his stay in Manchester. However, he later admitted that while he did not regret leaving the Gunners, the reason behind the move was Arsenal owner .

The American businessman had joined the Arsenal board in 2008 before completing his takeover of the club in 2011. And Nasri claimed back in 2013 that manager had no choice about the move, with the Gunners' icon wanting Nasri to stay - but the young star only having a year left on his contract forced the issue.

"I don't regret leaving Arsenal," Nasri told beIN Sport in 2013. "I won the league while Arsenal have difficulty finishing fourth.

"Wenger told me that if left, I would stay; but Kroenke wanted the money. The coach told me we'll only take Gervinho, Cesc was already gone. I had only one year left so I decided to leave."

While Nasri was vindicated in his desire to win Premier League titles and says he had no remorse about the move to Man City, he admitted there was one regret about his time with the .

"Wenger is the best coach I've ever worked with," Nasri said while still at Man City. "I only regret not having more discussions with Arsene Wenger when I left.

"He's the one who understood me the most and made me the player I am. I'm thankful."