Nasri: Spend In Transfer Market or I Leave

Frustation and anxiety is mounting over the future of Samir Nasri at Arsenal, and following the French midfielders comments about his future and the potential interest from Manchester United recently, the signs are hardly encouraging for the London club. Wenger's main aims surely include the imperative that Arsenal's best must stay at the club, but there is still no sign of Nasri signing an extension to his current contract which has only 12 months remaining.

The Guardian newspaper has now claimed that Nasri is stalling the signing of the offered £90,000 a week contract not only because he wants to be paid more per week - apparently holding out for £110,000 - but he also wants Wenger to confirm the idea of Arsenal having an "active summer". Nasri wants the reassurance that quality players will be brought in to help the current Arsenal side to success and trophies as well as a season in which the team has enough depth to last the whole campaign rather than wither out towards the end.

The rumours surrounding Arsenal and their transfer acivity in the upcoming market are rife, with links to Lille's Ivorian forward Gervinho very strong as well as an apparent interest in West Brom's Nigerian international striker, peter Odemwingie. The former deal looks more likely to go through, with Arsenal the favourites to land Gervinho, but one signing will probably not be enough to convince an ambitious Nasri to stay with the club.

He has been encouraged by his compatriot and Manchester United left back Patrice Evra to join him at United already, and his comments about waiting to see if the Manchester United interest is real or not clearly show a lack of full commitment to Arsenal. It also suggests a wavering mind, a mind which is searching for new opportunities, and the fact that he refused to rule out a move to Old Trafford is surely concerning.

Wenger has promised his fans an "active summer", but what Wenger's definition of "active" is and what Arsenal supporters definition is, most probably varies. Arsenal need a new centre back, and Wenger recognises this too, with Gary Cahill prominently linked, as well as PSG's Mamadou Sakhou, who looks a very promising talent. The issue that remains with Wenger is money.

Both player will cost in excess of  £15 million, and those who know Arsenal and Arsene Wenger know, that for Wenger to spend that amount on one player is a very rare occasion. His persistence to keep out of debt and keep the club stable is admirable, and stubborn, yet it may yet prove his downfall, for now Wenger has more reasons to spend money. He firstly has to improve his squad, whilst appeasing the current players such as Fabregas and Nasri, as well as the frustrated fans.

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Emmanuel Eboue to Leave? - Djourou Wants Reward

While Arsenal battle to keep hold of one of their vital play makers, Samir Nasri, another player, who can be considered a little less important in terms of Arsenal's future challenge for trophies, Emmanuel Eboue may be on his way out of the Emirates.

Newly promoted Queens Park Rangers manager, Neil Warnock is said to be interested in bringing the Ivorian to Loftus Road. The 28 year old's experience and versatility at the top level of English football could prove crucial in QPR's fight for survival next season, and Eboue, who has proved a useful squad member at Arsenal may be a player forced out of Arsenal as a result of Wenger's busy summer of transfers.

A sale would add to Arsenal's spending power in the market - not by much, but surely enough to add to the transfer kitty that Wenger has been so reluctant to use over the past few years. QPR would offer Eboue the chance to stay in London rather than relocate to a foreign country where he has been linked to Roma in Italy.

Eboue would add his athleticism, tireless attitude and versatility to QPR as well as his enthusiasm and comical personality - often seen as the joker of the Arsenal side off the pitch. On the pitch however, he can be equally as comical with sometimes unpredictable errors and mistakes which have often proven costly for Arsenal over the seven seasons he has been there.

Meanwhile, Johan Djourou, Arsenal's Swiss defender has tried to get his team mates and manager inspired and prepared for next season where he hopes to reward the patient Arsenal fans with success. On the back of the 2 - 2 draw with England he said:

"Obviously, now we want to do better as a team and as individuals to get something. I think that the fans deserve and the manager deserves something. We need to get better, get stronger, and really prepare well for next season."

When questioned about Arsenal's busy summer ahead, and what impact the possible new recruits may bring, Djourou was less certain but insisted that new players and competition for places is always good:

"I don't know - that's for the manager to answer. I think competition is always good. That pushes you in your position. When you want to make a team better, you have to have a good squad. I think that we had a good squad but if players with experience or different players can bring quality, they're welcome." 

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A Look At Arsenal's Ryo Miyaichi

After a season of disappointment, frustration and unfulfilment, Arsenal will be looking for any possible grain of hope for the future. They have, and have had stacks of potential in their ranks, but it hasn't paid off for seven years, though perhaps this gem they have been fortunate enough to find could change their luck at last.

Ryo Miyaichi, the 18 year-old Japanese winger has been receiving rave reviews in Holland where he has been loaned out to with Feyonard, and will return to Arsenal for pre-season with a determination and hope for success that Arsenal desperately need.

Wenger is hoping that Arsenal can secure a work permit for Miyaichi so he can play in the Premier League next season, but said that the player will have to continue prove over the summer that he is ready for that step: "I think he is good enough but if he is ready enough to have a place in our team, we will ask for a work permit and try to get him in."

After watching several of Miyaichi's performances for Feyonard, I, like many others am very impressed with his quality. On his début against Vitesse, he was named man of the match after playing 90 minutes, showing superb skill and drive, scary pace and a strong sense of bravery in a challenge.

He tore down the wing with tenacity, and put in several crosses from runs that he created totally individually. He has a very good engine in him, with bundles of energy, which is important to have in the Premier League, and was calm on the ball, finding a team mate the majority of the time.

His crosses may need working on, as many were cleared with ease, but he has grasped the hard bit - getting past the defenders, and no doubt under the guidance of Wenger his delivery will quickly improve. It is no wonder that he attracted clubs from around the world with performances like that at such a young age.

In 12 appearances for Feyonard, he has scored 3 and assisted four, showcasing the much desired abiltiy to settle in at a new club very quickly, and present his quality to the world, and more importantly to the watchful eye of Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal manager has noticed Miyaichi's impressive performances, and he explained what he likes about him:

"What I like about Ryo is that he has good timing with his runs and understands when to go and where to go. That is something very important. He knows how to use his pace and he is an intelligent player." 

"He is a boy who went straight from school football to professional football and straight away was the best player in Feyenoord.''  

"He looks a very promising boy and everybody who went to watch him has been hugely impressed by him. Ryo is a character and a great football player.''

A Netherlands journalist, Jaap De Groot of "De Telegraaf", was also very enthused by Miyaichi's performances in the Dutch League:

“He has got everything; he has got speed, he is very direct, he has skill, he can take people on, he scores goals and he has good technique. He loves the game as well. He is young and needs to mature but he is a very interesting player and could definitely be a star in the future."

Praise indeed for the young Japanese winger - it seems Arsenal have found themselves a fantastic young prospect who could make an instant impact at The Emirates. Other additions may be needed for Arsenal, particularly in the defence and attacking department, but this is one addition that Arsenal fans should be excited about going into a fresh new season with the expectation of trophies once again on the side.

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Nightmare Day for United as Liverpool Cruise to Victory

Watch the Match Highlights Here

What a bad game that was for Manchester United. Seeking to take advantage of an Arsenal slip up to Sunderland was not going to be easy against a rejuvenated Liverpool side, but no one would have predicted such a poor performance and miserable result for Ferguson to ponder.

After a good start from Liverpool, United got hold of possession, and started to control the game. The first goal changed it all, and after that, frustration showed, with tackles flying in from every angle, culminating in four yellow cards at the end of the first half.


Three very very avoidable goals were conceded, all falling to the fortunate but as always hard working Dutchman Dirk Kuyt - inside the six yard box every time. The first saw Luiz Suarez carve open the makeshift United defence with complete ease, passing into the path of Kuyt lurking on the line for an easy tap in. All United had to do was stop Suarez. They didn't.

Next, and Nani grabbed another assist for the season, as he temporarily forgot which side he was playing for, unhelpfully nodding the ball back into the United area rather than clearing it, for Kuyt to pounce with an easy header to finish. Nani was then rewarded by Liverpool with a knee-high challenge from Jamie Carragher which saw the winger have tears streaming down his face as he was stretchered off to boos from the Anfield crowd. Rather ungrateful seeing as he just helped you to a win, isn't it?

The cherry was placed firmly onto the Reds delicious (for them) cake, when a Luiz Suarez free kick was parried away by van der sar only to the feet of - guess who - Dirk Kuyt. His first ever Liverpool hat trick, and a hat trick that had come at the worst possible time for Manchester United, as they now had to climb a momentous mountain to come back from three goals down.

The consolation came late on, and was a matter of way too little, way too late. Take nothing away from the classy finish from the excellent Javier Hernandez whose header was placed perfectly into the corner after a difficult and massively frustrating day at the office, this little guy will see a lot more goals in this fixture in the future. No doubt.

It was a terrible display from United, who do not move six points clear of Arsenal, but instead stay just the three points ahead, knowing that Arsenal have a vital game in hand.

A goal for United early in the first half would have changed everything. A breakthrough would have lifted the team, and given some belief to work with. As it was however, the team looked noticeably uninspired all game, and could muster nothing to respond to the three goals that meant anything in terms of the game. The Hernandez goal may prove valuable in the long run in relation to goal difference, but it won't lighten my spirits too much.

No creativity - again a phrase banded around here, but it is true. I am quietly pleased that once again the midfield failed to grab hold of the game by the scruff of the neck, as it may open Ferguson's eyes to the obvious need of some creative midfielders and a holding player. United really will fall behind the pack next season if this isn't sorted.

Arseal will be delighted with this result, and will have breathed a sigh of relief after their goalless draw yesterday. The Gunners will now be able to see that as one point gained rather than two lost, and give them the confidence to push on and overtake the wavering United, who have now lost two on the bounce.

That Arsenal - Manchester United game is looking more and more pivotal in this title race, and after this result may well decide which way this title swings. Hopefully United will have sorted themselves out by then.