Arsenal Transfer Talk: Why It Is Best To Sell Samir Nasri This Season

Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have been the hot topics regarding Arsenal's summer transfer window. While Fabregas is looking towards a move to his boyhood club, Nasri is trying to run down his contract and move on a free transfer next year.

Though Fabregas's move to Barcelona may happen this season, Nasri will be the most hated player even if he stays this year.

Fabregas played at Arsenal for eight years in which he was consistent and successful. He is amongst the top five midfielders in the world. Yet, he never demanded the Arsenal board for a pay raise. Even in this ongoing transfer saga to Barcelona, he has not handed in a transfer request or publicly stated that he wanted to move away from the Emirates. This explains Fabregas's loyalty to Arsenal.

At the end of last season, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger hoped Nasri (who was on his last year of contract) would sign a deal in the summer. With Nasri unwilling to sign a new deal, Wenger has to make a tough decision whether to sell him or to let him run down his contract and move on a free transfer.

Nasri, having been left out of the national squad for the World Cup 2010, had a good start to the season by scoring goals and coming up with assists in the absence of Fabregas. In the second half of the season, he ran out of steam, as he was not able to make an impact similar to the first half.

Comparing Nasri to Andrei Arshavin, both have played at Arsenal for three years, with Arshavin scoring 28 goals from 106 games whereas Nasri was able to score 27 goals from 124 games. Also, it is a known fact that Arshavin is among the top five in premier league assists table. While Arshavin is in the last year of his contract, he turned down a chance to move to his old club Zenit Petersburg (where he will get more playing time) and decided to play at the Emirates (where he will get less playing time). Does Nasri need to learn something from him?

A few days ago, Wenger stated that he would fight to keep Nasri, rather than sell him as Wenger needed Nasri for the coming season. With Manchester City and Mancini reportedly interested in Nasri and Evra repeatedly pleading Nasri, Wenger will be under pressure to make a final decision regarding Nasri's situation.

Initially Nasri turned down the contract. Wenger later stated to French radio station RTL in late May (h/t Gooner Talk):

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"We’ve got a little financial disagreement but I’ll try to make him [Nasri] sign a new contract. I’ll work on that this summer. What is certain is that we won’t be selling Nasri to Manchester United."

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When Wenger was willing to increase his pay, Nasri changed the reason to a trophy drought in Arsenal.

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"We already earn huge wages, Nasri said according to The Daily Mail. The priority is to make a big career and to win titles. This is more important than everything else."

Nasri added to News of the World (h/t The Daily Mail): "With no titles under your belt, you can't be in list for Ballon D'Or. I came to England for trophies because I've not won anything in my career, apart from an Under 17 European Championship in 2004."

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If Nasri was loyal to the club, he would have signed a new contract rather than turning it down. Even after the wages were increased, Nasri decided to turn down the contract. This is not loyalty.

His statements may seem to be true, but what Nasri has failed to understand is that it is the players who should do well to win trophies. If you are just a part of a winning squad, does Ballon D'Or come knocking your door?

Right now, Nasri can be termed as a one season wonder (or perhaps a half season wonder). Keeping him at Arsenal may be good, as he is accustomed to the Gunners' style of play, is entering the peak of his form and may give more to the club. But Nasri is not interested in signing a new contract, which would make him the highest paid player along with Fabregas.

Nasri's contribution to the Gunners next season will be good as there are the European Championships coming in 2012, for which he will have to prove his skills to get selected.

Even if Arsenal does manage to win trophies next season, it is not sure if Nasri will sign a new contract, as Manchester City have started winning trophies and are willing to pay more than the Gunners. So keeping Nasri becomes a big gamble by Wenger!

If Wenger sells Nasri, he will get around £20-25million. Wenger can invest this money on Juan Mata or another good attacking midfielder or a winger. It would be good for Wenger to allow a loyal player to play for the club rather than keep a player who is not loyal to the club.  

Nasri is not the final piece in Arsenal's puzzle of trophy drought. In my opinion, I want Wenger to sell Nasri to whoever pays the maximum for him and get an attacking midfielder. The Nasri saga would end and Wenger can concentrate on signing some defenders!

Even if it is to Manchester City or United, let Wenger sell Nasri. Arsenal does not need money-minded footballers. Remember Emmanuel Adabayor? I thought Wenger did the right thing by selling him rather than keeping him. According to Metro.co.uk, Wenger has recently hinted that Nasri will be sold if he fails to sign a new contract.

Wenger will surely find replacements for Nasri, who is not as important to the Gunners as Fabregas or Robin Van Persie. Let's hope this Nasri saga ends soon and in the better way for the Gunners.