After he inspired the Gunners to an FA Cup third-round replay win over Leeds, the United defender hailed the Frenchman as a leading contender for player of the year.
Man of the moment: Nasri inspired Arsenal's FA Cup win over Leeds on Wednesday night
Arsenal full back Bacary Sagna agreed, adding that the comments are 'just about the best compliment Sami could hope for'.
But Nasri has some rivals for the award. Here Sportsmail's experts name their best players so far this season.
MATT LAWTON CHIEF FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENTMY TOP THREE: 1. Samir Nasri 2. Nemanja Vidic 3. Gareth Bale SUPER SAMIR HAS A TOUCH OF CLASS Key Player: Nasri's lethal ability tounlock defences means he has played 383 successful passes in the finalthird this year, more than any other Premier League player.
Sure-footed: Nasri's composure on the ball means he is second only to team-mateCesc Fabregas in the league when it comes to touches in the oppositionhalf with an average of 54.89 per game.
Goal Machine: Nasri has got hisshooting boots on this season, comfortably eclipsing his two leaguegoals last term. The midfield maestro has scored nine - and counting.
On Target: Nasri's prodigious goal return can be put down to hisincreased shooting accuracy, with 65% of his shots finding the target -up seven per cent from last season.
Pass Master: Nasri is always at theheart of Arsenal's moves, and the dynamic midfielder has already made912 passes this season. This compares to the 1,163 passes he madeduring the whole of last season.
What the experts say...
'He scoresgoals, he gives assists, he can go one against one, he can pass - he isall that you dream to have as a football player.' - Arsene Wenger
'Ireally think that Samir has a beautiful career ahead of him and that herepresents our national team's biggest hope.' - Zinedine Zidane
Compiled by Andrew Magee
Tough call this, even when it comes to identifying a top three. How, after all, can you ignore Carlos Tevez's contribution at Manchester City?
But I'm inclined to agree with Ferdinand, even if he might not have been so forthcoming in naming his central defensive partner at United.
Vidic has been magnificent for a United side who remain unbeaten, but he also took the captain's armband Ferdinand hoped he would inherit from Gary Neville.
Nasri has been the outstanding entertainer this season, producing a devastating combination of assists and goals to keep Arsenal in the hunt for their first trophy in six years. Clearly, he's benefiting from missing the World Cup.
The decision not to take him further illustrates why Raymond Domenech should have been sacked as manager when he chose the moment his side were eliminated from Euro 2008 to propose to his girlfriend (now wife).
The man's a buffoon. But he must be wincing when he sees the way Nasri has developed under Arsene Wenger's guidance. He was terrific against England earlier this season and his class and consistency would secure him a place in just about any team in the world. Barcelona even.
IAN LADYMAN NORTHERN FOOTBALL CORRESPONDENT MY TOP THREE: 1. Carlos Tevez 2. Samir Nasri 3. Nemanja Vidic Is it possible for one man to drive a team towards glory almost on his own? It would appear so.
Manchester City are not a one-man team. There really is no such thing. Roberto Mancini has assembled a well-balanced squad now, one that relies heavily on players like David Silva but also on the more prosaic talents of Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong.
In Tevez, though, Mancini has a player who can make the difference between second and first in the Barclays Premier League.
For all that he feigns indifference, it must irritate the life out of Sir Alex Ferguson to see Tevez do things for City that he never did for the Scot's side.
At United, Tevez was a toiler, a hustle and bustle merchant. At Eastlands, he has grown into a superstar, a scorer of superb goals, a match-winner.
So far this season, Tevez has scored 16 goals. By the time May comes it will be a surprise to everybody - not least himself - if he has not scored 25.
On target: Tevez scored his 16th goal of the season against Leicester on Tuesday
Without Tevez, City remain a Premier League force for the first time. With Tevez they have the look of a team who could win the league if United surprise everybody and falter. It is a significant difference.
MICHAEL WALKER MY TOP THREE: 1. Gareth Bale 2. Nemanja Vidic 3. Chris Brunt A year ago this weekend, Bale started his first league game of the 2009-10 season. The Tottenham jury was still out on the young Welshman, signed from Southampton in May 2007.
One year on and Bale has everyone, at Spurs and across Europe, convinced of his talent. He has played 30 times for his club this season. Tottenham regulars reckon that only twice could he be considered to be below par.
Access denied: Vidic has been United's star performer this season
Once was when Everton got Phil Neville and Seamus Coleman both to mark him, the other was at Bolton in the days after Bale's extraordinary display at Inter Milan. Whenever folk start pointing out your bad days, you know you're doing something right.
Bale has done plenty right. His hat-trick for a 10-man Spurs against the European champions at the San Siro was historic. It came three months after his 21st birthday. A dip at Bolton was understandable, and it was momentary.
Since then Bale has galloped on, his willingness, skill and accuracy part of a side refreshing the top of the division. He has 12 goals so far. Apparently without any of the modern sneer, he is easy for the neutral to like.
P.S. One player who is definitely not in contention for any adulation is Andrey Arshavin. The Arsenal forward has put on a string of disappointing performances this season and was substituted again at Leeds after another woeful evening.
A season to forget: Arshavin has failed to hit the heights of his first season with the Gunners so far this campaign
It was the 18th time he has been taken off by Arsene Wenger in his 29 starts this season. Arshavin made just 74 per cent of his passes at Elland Road - a lower percentage than any of his team-mates - and was jeered by the home fans after ballooning a shot on to the roof of the South Stand.
He may have smirked but the 29-year-old has little to laugh about at the moment. He has scored just two goals since September and his form is a far cry from his brilliant four goals at Anfield shortly after he arrived at the club.
Arsenal skipper Fabregas reveals he's targeting clean sweep after Leeds winLeeds 1 Arsenal 3: Classy Nasri is just knockout in lead role for Gunners
Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Raymond Domenech, David Silva, Arsene Wenger, Vincent Kompany, Phil Neville, Andrey Arshavin, Nemanja Vidic, Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand, Bacary Sagna, Roberto Mancini, Gary Neville, Gareth Bale, Zinedine Zidane Places: Leeds, Barcelona, United Kingdom, Europe
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail