Daily Express

I was on verge of depression, says Nasri

- By Mike Walters

SAMIR NASRI feared he would never play football again after an 18-month doping ban left him on the verge of depression.

But as West Ham’s midfielder enjoyed a winning return against his old club in his first Premier League appearance for two and a half years, Nasri ignored the taunts and counted his blessings.

He set up birthday-boy Declan Rice, 20 today, for his first goal in senior football to give the Hammers only their second win in 22 meetings with the Gunners. The former

WEST HAM

French internatio­nal was banned for receiving intravenou­s treatment at a Los Angeles clinic while on holiday in December 2016, when he was on loan at Sevilla from Manchester City.

Nasri, who silenced the taunts of Arsenal fans who never forgave him for joining the legion of Gunners fugitives at City in 2011, said: “After 13 months out, it was the best feeling of my life to be back and winning as well.

“When you’re 30 years old, you think that your career is over because no one is going to give you a chance after a ban.

“It was almost like being depressed – thank God my family, friends and new-born son were there for me. It gave me something to look forward to.”

And his reaction to inevitable jeers from Arsenal fans?

“Five years ago I would have been into all that controvers­y – I would have the the answered them or done something,” he said. “But today I just try to enjoy every moment because I have a second chance. Not everyone in life gets a second chance.”

Arsenal defender Sokratis says Unai Emery’s side must win their next two matches – despite how tough they are – after a fourth defeat in eight league and cup games.

After Saturday’s clash with Chelsea, Arsenal face Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round.

He said: “We have to win both of them. I believe in my team but we have to play much better. We did not control the game better than them, we did not create chances or finish them off, we did not score and we paid for one mistake. It was expensive.”

WEST HAM

Fabianski 7; Zabaleta 7, Diop 7, Ogbonna 7, Cresswell 7; Noble, 7, Rice 8; Antonio 5 (Obiang 82, 6), Nasri 6 (Snodgrass 71, 6), Anderson 7; Arnautovic 6 (Carroll 71, 6). Rice 48. Bournemout­h (a), Sat PL. Leno 6; Mustafi 6 (Ramsey 59, 6), Sokratis 6, Koscielny 7; Maitland-Niles 5 (Bellerin 69, 5), Guendouzi 6, Xhaka 4 (Torreira 59, 6), Kolasinac 5; Aubameyang 4, Iwobi 6, Lacazette 5. Mustafi, Kolasinac. Chelsea (h), Sat PL.

J Moss (West Yorkshire).

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