Interesting news is afoot regarding the Samir Nasri transfer. Days after Arsene Wenger claimed that he didn't much care whether or not the French midfielder was cup-tied in the Champions League, and that he'd be more than happy to play him in the qualifying match against Udinese no matter what a horrified Roberto Mancini thought of the situation, it turns out that Nasri has not travelled to Udine with Arsenal. So says the Guardian, at any rate.
Samir Nasri Misses Arsenal’s Trip To Udinese
According to the Guardian, Samir Nasri has been dropped from the Arsenal team to face Udinese after requesting that he not play in order to avoid jeopardising his potential £22M move to Manchester City.
Nasri was apparently unwilling to jeopardise his potential £22M transfer to Manchester City by becoming ineligible to compete in the Champions League, and asked to be dropped from the squad as a result. One can only imagine how horrified Wenger was by this following, wholly imaginary conversation:
Wenger: So, Sammy. I can call you Sammy, right?
Nasri: Non.
Wenger: Samir? Monsieur Nasri? I’ve known you for three years, man.
Nasri: I would prefer to be known as former-Arsenal-player-Samir-Nasri.
Nasri: If that’s ok with you.
Wenger: ...
Wenger: Anyway, Sammy. As I was saying earlier, I just got off the phone with Roberto and I told him that I didn’t give two hoots whether or not you were cup tied. We need you in that match against Udinese. Isn’t that great?
Nasri: Non.
Wenger: Anyway, you’re on the squad, and you’re going to help Robin, Jack and the boys get into the Champions League proper. Plane leaves in an hour. You coming?
Nasri: Non.
Wenger: ...
Nasri: Of course I’m not ****ing coming. Are you out of your ****ing mind?
Wenger: So that’s a no?
Nasri: Oui. By which I mean no, I am not going to Italy. I am going to Manchester City.
Wenger: *gerbilface*
Nasri: We done here, boss?
Wenger: *gerbilface* *twitch*
(Nasri leaves. Some time later, Wenger picks up the phone and dials some numbers)
Wenger: Roberto! Hey, how’s it going! Some interesting news just now...
Anyway, Arsenal still have every chance to beat Udinese and get to the Champions League group stages, even without Nasri in the lineup. Right?
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