Samir Nasri
Manchester City's Nasri speaks during a news conference at their Carrington training complex in Manchester. REUTERS

Samir Nasri has implored Arsenal to learn how to "win ugly" if they are to end their trophy drought, after insisting Manchester City's current position atop the Premier League is due to their ability to grind out results.

Ahead of Manchester City's Europa League clash with Porto on Wednesday, Nasri outlined his desire to improve on his performances since making the switch from Arsenal in the summer.

Nasri joined City from Arsenal in a £24m deal after he failed to win a trophy during his three years at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side face the prospect of a seventh successive trophy-less season after they lost their last-16 Champions League tie 4-0 to Milan and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Sunderland on Saturday.

Nevertheless, Nasri believes Arsenal have the players to challenge for major honours but cautioned the club may have to alter their mentality if they hope to end their current drought.

"In football, sometimes it's good to win ugly - you don't always have to play good football to win," Nasri is quoted on the Telegraph.

"Arsenal play good football, but after seven years, they don't win so that's difficult for them. We did it [won ugly] against Aston Villa and Porto, but the problem is that everyone is used to 5-1 and 6-1 victories and, in a season, you have moments where you don't feel the same way.

"It's important to win points and win games and that's what we have done. I wanted Arsenal to win the FA Cup or something because I have respect for the players there and the manager.

"I don't want Arsenal to fall down. But I have never doubted that I made the right choice in coming here. We are top of the league and still on course for the Europa League, so I'm really happy."

Nasri has had a mediocre start to life at the Etihad Stadium, despite City's success in the league. The Frenchman has scored just three goals in 20 appearances for the Sky Blues and he admitted the extra defensive demands placed on him by Mancini had been difficult to adapt to.

He added: "At Arsenal, I was playing a little but higher up the pitch but here we are 4-4-2, so you have to work more defensively. It's not the same, so you need time to settle."