Arsenal’s battle to keep hold of wantaway midfielder Samir Nasri appears destined to reach a messy conclusion, with the Frenchman saying he will “certainly leave very soon” with “bitterness and anger in my heart”.
GettyImagesSamir Nasri appears set to leave Arsenal
• Cesc signs for Barcelona
• Shakhtar: Arsenal want Jadson
• Mancini frustrated by Nasri delay
Nasri has been pursued by Manchester City throughout the current transfer window, and with contract extension talks at Arsenal long since stalling, the 24-year-old appears set to leave the Emirates on less than amicable terms.
Arsene Wenger had hoped the club could hold on to Nasri, but recently admitted the Gunners were not in a strong position to retain his services.
Nasri, posting on what the club understands to be his personal Facebook page, responded to what he saw as “disrespectful” chants aimed at him by fans during their Premier League opener against Newcastle – despite the France international not appearing on the pitch.
“I was very disappointed by the supporters last weekend,” Nasri wrote. “I am still an Arsenal player but I will certainly leave very soon.
“It’s nearly done. But I will leave with bitterness and anger in my heart.”
The imminent transfer of Nasri will follow the sale of former skipper Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona after protracted negotiations over the Spain midfielder were resolved earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are awaiting the fate of Wenger who allegedly gave instructions to club officials during their Champions League qualifier against Udinese, despite serving a touchline ban. UEFA reportedly instructed Wenger to cease the communications at half-time, but assistant coach Pat Rice was believed to have received further messages during the second stanza.
Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou picked up hamstring injuries during the game leaving them in serious doubt for this weekend’s clash with Liverpool.