French playmaker Nasri quit the Gunners to join Manchester City for a fee believed to be around £24m.
Wenger was reluctant to part with the 24-year-old but the former Marseille player had made clear his desire to leave and, with just one year left on his contract, the London club admitted defeat.
cannot forget
"I will never forget what he did for me," Nasri told City TV. "He was like a second dad."He came to pick me when I was at Marseille. I was an international but I have become the player I am now because of him.
"He always trusted me even when I was injured. When I came back he always gave me my chance.
"He was always there for me, always talked to me."
Wenger has been criticised this summer for his failure to invest significantly in his squad and the ultimately futile battles to keep Nasri and Cesc Fabregas.
Nasri added: "I have seen the newspapers and people have been harsh with him but you cannot forget what he has done for Arsenal and English football.
"I respect him a lot and I will always be grateful for everything he has done for me."
Nasri could make his City debut in Sunday's Barclays Premier League match at Tottenham Hotspur.
