Arsenal Transfer News: Will Nasri, Fabregas Remain with Gunners This Summer?

Arsenal have found themselves in some rather surprising transfer battles in the early portion of this summer, courtesy of star midfielders Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. 

Fabregas' annual Barcelona fight, in which the Catalan club tries to bring the prodigal prodigy back into the fold, isn't surprising, but Nasri's request to be dealt unless the club ups his salary and improves the talent of the squad did come as quite the shock to manager Arsene Wenger and the Gunner faithful.

After all, many saw Nasri as the key cog in the Gunners' attack, and without his playmaking skills, the team will likely find themselves in big trouble come next season. 

But, what will become of this pair of talented playmakers? Will they remain with the club next season, or should the faithful fan base be preparing to say goodbye to arguably their most talented players? 

The fact is, right now things are looking pretty good, if you're a Gunners fan.

Why? Simple. Wenger isn't ready to sell either player, which means it's virtually assured that neither one is going to be dealt.

Wenger confirmed as much in a press conference on Monday morning, telling reporters he planned to fight to keep his talented stars until the bitter end. 

Per his statements: 

""Yes, why not?" said Wenger when asked about the prospects of Nasri and Fabregas staying.

"You asked me two different questions. One, will he (Nasri) be at the club next season? I say yes.

"The second part, will he sign a new contract? I hope yes, but I'm not the only one who decides that.

"Cesc loves the club. We know the story from Barcelona goes on for years now, but hopefully we will be able to close that for ourselves to focus on the season, hopefully with Cesc Fabregas."

"

For those who aren't convinced by this sentiment, consider this: When has Wenger had to sell a player before he's ready to let him go?

Throughout his tenure at Emirates, he's managed to stave off major interest in his top talent until he's ready to say goodbye. We saw it with Gael Clichy earlier this summer, when Wenger waited until he got a solid deal (albeit one with rival Manchester City) before he sent the want-away defender out of North London. 

Taking things a bit further, we saw the same thing with Thierry Henry we're seeing with Fabregas now. Season after season, Wenger steadfastly held off the advances (and big cash offers) for his French star, until he finally conceded a deal to Barcelona in 2007—on his terms. 

Once Wenger has dug in on a particular player, he's not going to give him up easily. This summer, we've seen Barca hit new heights in their offers for Fabregas, in a bid to finally bring the Spanish starlet back to his youth club. But each time Wenger's price rises. You don't think there's a reason for that?

Nasri, meanwhile, presents a much different challenge. Because Wenger doesn't control the French playmaker after next season, he'll be hard-pressed to keep him late into the summer if Nasri doesn't sign an extension with the club. 

But, even there, the Gunners are making progress. Nasri has expressed a desire to stay at Emirates (assuming the club has improved.) Assuming Arsenal can seal the deal on getting either of their defensive targets, Gary Cahill or Chris Samba, there's a good chance Nasri takes the offer on the table (with a slight raise, of course) and stays with the club.

They've already landed one big name in Gervinho. With no realistic bids on the table (Wenger claims no formal bids have been received at this point,) there's a great chance he winds up staying put. 

Am I saying the pair is guaranteed to stay in North London? Hardly.

The levels of cash their sales would bring into the club have to be awfully tempting to Wenger and the Gunners' board. They could wheel and deal their way into grabbing some extremely talented young players. 

But, in the end, the odds of them leaving at this point have to be seen as slim. They are too talented, and Wenger is too dug in for battle on both of his stars to sell right now. Barcelona still haven't hit that magic number they have to in order to get Fabregas (you know, the one that keeps rising), while Nasri is just looking for some assurances that this club is going to improve next season.

While there's still a chance one or the other winds up being sold, at this stage of the game, things are looking pretty solid for the Gunners. So, while you're sure to hear plenty more speculation about both of these talented midfield dynamos in the coming weeks, I just don't see either one leaving town quite yet.

As long as Wenger is dug in for battle, it's going to be tough for anyone to actually pull off a deal to land either of the midfield dynamos.