Waving goodbye? But
Wenger insists Nasri (left) and Fabregas will stay
Arsene Wenger has invited ridicule after
claiming he expects 'nobody to leave' Arsenal during the transfer
window.
Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are believed to be
on the brink of quitting the Emirates, with the latter tipped to
join Manchester City in the next 48 hours.
Fabregas is the subject of a £35million return to
his boyhood club Barcelona, with the club's goalkeeper Victor
Valdes claiming his Spain team-mate is set to join him at the Nou
Camp.
'I cannot see Barcelona without Cesc,' Valdes
said. The deal is nearly done - it will be made official in the
next few hours.'
Neither Fabregas or Nasri have been included in
the Arsenal squad to face Newcastle on Saturday.
But speaking ahead of his side's Premier League
opener, Wenger remained adamant the wantaway duo would not be
leaving.
'I expect nobody to leave the club,' said
Wenger.
Wantaway duo: But Wenger insists the pair will stay
at Arsenal
Your country needs you: Nasri played for France in
the week but hasn't been included in Wenger's squad to face
Newcastle
'The best thing for us one day before the
championship starts is to focus on possible
transfers.
'At the moment there is no news. If there is news
I promise I will give it. I will decide what's best for the
club.
'My personal feelings are not important. What is
important is the club and how well we do.
'I have not been disappointed with their
attitudes. They are professionals. I take nothing
personally.
'The transfer speculation is disruptive but that
is not an excuse.'
Man City boss Roberto Mancini was giving little
away over his pursuit of Nasri.
'I don't know what the situation is,' he said.
'We start in the Premier League on Monday and we need to complete
our team.
'We hope we can do that very quickly because we
need more players.'
