Samir Nasri has defended Arsene Wenger, insisting criticism of the Arsenal manager is unfair.
Wenger’s contract expires at the end of the season and there are doubts over whether he will stay at the Emirates Stadium.
The Frenchman has been criticised by many fans, but former Gunners star Nasri, currently on loan at Sevilla from Manchester City, says Arsenal’s shortcomings should not all be blamed on Wenger.
“You cannot criticise a guy like that. It’s impossible,” Nasri told Sky Sports.
“Arsenal was a big club, but he made it even bigger. I just think people need to be fair – it doesn’t mean that because Arsenal don’t have success in the league that it’s his fault.
“It’s the players who play on the pitch. It’s the players who get results.
“I don’t think it’s him. There are a lot of things at Arsenal – the board and the players – that need to be checked out, not just Arsene.”
Nasri, 29, made 86 Premier League appearances during a three-year spell at Arsenal after being signed by Wenger from Marseille in 2008.
“I owe him a lot of things,” Nasri said. “I came to the Premier League because of him and have had a good career because of him too, because he gave me confidence – he made me a better player.
“I think all the players who played for him became better players.”