Nasri Chronicles: Why Arsenal Can't Afford to Let the Frenchman Depart

Yes, this is another Samir Nasri transfer article on the Internet. No, I will not be preaching same nonsensical rumors and Manchester United lineup projections that 99 percent of the world has hopelessly indulged the last few weeks. I will be taking a different approach. This article comes from a desperate Arsenal fan’s perspective that would want nothing more than to see silverware in North London next season. I have heard both sides of the Nasri argument, collected a consensus, and am here to tell you why Arsenal must not let the fired up Frenchman go.

Nasri stated last week that the main exponent behind his desired exodus was because of Arsenal’s lack of trophies. For Arsene Wenger and the front office, this was a blessing in disguise for it keeps Arsenal on a somewhat level playing ground heading into the season. As of right now, every team in the EPL has an equal chance to win the title, but not every team has an equal chance to buy talents like Nasri. Samir stated that his primary goal next season was to win trophies, and with that being said, Arsenal cannot afford to let go of the Frenchman. 

If they let Nasri leave, the organization is publicly stating that they do not believe that they can win a trophy in 2012 and keep Samir happy. Letting Nasri depart would show a major lack of confidence in the organization and assert that Arsenal cannot compete for a title next season. Money then would not be the problem, but confidence.

And confidence is exactly what you need heading into what will most likely be the most competitive EPL season in history. Never before has top talent been so pleasantly spread throughout the league to make it so that six teams (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, United, City, Tottenham) all have a legitimate chance to take home the crown.

To make matters worse, Arsenal’s rivals have been working the transfer market nearly every second of the summer in an attempt to get ahead of the tranquil transfer teams (Arsenal, for example). With the competition getting tougher, the last thing Arsenal can afford to be doing is focusing on key departures.

Also with Wenger’s summer style, if Nasri leaves, can you really count on him bringing in a world class talent to take his place? The unsatisfying feeling of betrayal would set in when he then signs yet another teenage Gambian “superstar.”

And so I sit here not to complain or ask for any sympathy, just to try and express the importance that this young talent is to our team. It has been too painful for too long for Arsenal to start rebuilding: in the eyes of many fans, it is now or never. This next transfer cycle will likely be the most significant in Samir Nasri’s career and the next decade for Arsenal. We will find out whether or not we can look forward to redemption, or passively whisper from the corner our futile frustrations. The decision should be coming soon, and when it does, I hope to peacefully see you on the other side.