When Arsenal lost Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer, back in 2008, many felt that Arsene Wenger had finally learnt a valuable lesson. Now it seems that it maybe the same all over again with Samir Nasri flirting with exit this summer. Arsenal were dealt another cruel blow in the saga when the Frenchman refused to rule out a move to rivals, Manchester United. Arsene Wenger has stated that it will be a priority for him to keep hold of the Frenchman and vowed that he will keep him out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s clutches. Nasri has just one year remaining on his contract and the Gunners would rather lose him this season for a menial fee than lose him for free next season, when his contract runs out.
Following his breakthrough season last season even Wenger has acknowledged the value that Nasri has to the team and had stated during the season that he will look to sort out Nasri’s contract during this summer. Many Arsenal fan felt that the matter would be done and dusted quickly enough, but the fact that the contract negotiations are still proceeding and with reports indicating that the contract negotiations might have stalled, Arsenal fans have started worrying if Nasri will eventually sign an extension.
Ever since his big money move from Marseille, Nasri has shown plenty of potential, but until this season, it was all witnessed only in glimpses and never on a consistent basis. He blossomed into a fantastic midfielder for Arsenal this season as he delivered the goods on a consistent basis especially in the first half of the season as he along with a few others mitigated the loss of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie with aplomb. Before the start of the season, we all knew that the Frenchman had bags of potential and talent but we were yet to witness performances that indicated that he had taken the leap from just being a talented player to becoming a consistent performer who delivered on a regular basis.
On the basis of this season, it is fair to say that Nasri has taken that leap and his ready to continue his exploits next season as well. But the question that begs to be asked is, will he do it with the Gunners or with another club?
With Arsenal failing to win a trophy for another season, their sixth, Wenger has some serious rebuilding to and he along with all Arsenal fans is desperate to see some quality players at the club in order to finally add some silverware to the empty Emirates trophy cabinet.
In such a situation, Nasri represents an unwanted headache for Arsene Wenger, but a headache that nevertheless has to be sorted out this summer.
The contract has reportedly stalled over pay demands with both parties struggling to reach a compromise. While Arsenal are willing to offer Nasri an improved contract, Nasri wants to achieve parity with Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal captain who right now earns the most at the club.
Some fans might see what Nasri has done recently as disloyalty and would like to see him gone while some may see his demands as justified and would want Wenger to trump up the cash and tie down the player to a new long term contract.
Wenger has a big decision to make right now but the question is which one is the right choice for the sake of the club?
Sell Him: His Lack of Loyalty is There for all to See and the Gunners Don’t Require Players Like Him
When Nasri started of the season on a bright note and delivered some man of the match performances, the Arsenal fans were immediately behind the Frenchman as he quickly established himself as a crowd favorite. But his recent antics would have caused some damage to his image among the fans with some seeing him as greedy.
Arsenal have offered him a better contract but he wants to achieve parity with Fabregas, who remains the club’s top earner if he were to stay.
Nasri has to realize that Fabregas achieved a high paying contract not just because he performed well for merely a season but because he has performed at a high level for several years now. When compared to Fabregas, Nasri has performed well merely for a season, and that he did fade away slightly towards the end of the season.
He might also want to leave because of Arsenal’s trophyless run and it is understandable that he wants to win trophies. But he has to realize an important fact about Arsenal’s trophyless run, it is not merely the fault of the manager that the club did not win trophies but the entire club has to take up responsibility for the barren run. And the players too fall into this category. Nasri has to stand up and take responsibility and should not merely deflect blame onto the club and look to escape. He too had some bad games towards the end in which he missed some great chances.
But what he has done is merely deflect the blame and is wanting a change of scenario.
The players have to realize that they are playing for Arsenal, a world class team and each and every player should take pride about the fact that they play for the red and whites of North London.
Nasri has shown the very same signs of greediness that Hleb and Flamini displayed and it would suffice to say that their greediness cost them dearly as both their careers have stagnated with neither achieving anything of significance.
Nasri has done enough to warrant a new and improved contract, but not enough to earn parity with Fabregas who has performed admirably for quite some time now.
No players is ever bigger than the club and the same applies with Nasri and Arsenal.
Keep Him: Arsenal Have to Keep their Stars to Win Trophies and Nasri is a Star
While there are some who may want to see the back of the French international, there are plenty more people who want him to stay at Arsenal.
Nasri has been offered a contract worth £90,000 which is £20,000 less than what he is demanding. Now if you look at the wages of Arsenal players, this may seem as a fairly high salary but when we look at the larger landscape of the English Premier League, we realize that it is not that high at all. There are players who earn vast more sums and Nasri’s demands are justified in today’s footballing scenario.
Also Nasri’s reluctance to move away maybe because of Wenger’s decision to play him in the wings which is not his preferred his position. Nasri thrives as an attacking midfielder and his abilities are not truly honed in the wings. He has the talent to scale great heights and he might be wanting a guarantee from Wenger that he will play in his preferred position.
With every passing day it is looking likely that either of Fabregas or Nasri will depart and in the long run it is better if Fabregas departs. If Cesc does go, then it will open the central midfield spot for Nasri. Also it is almost a certainty that Fabregas will depart, if not this season then next. And so even if Nasri does go this season, it also likely that Fabregas will go anyway next season but if Fabregas does go, then Nasri will stay mostly.
And there is also the possibility that Fabregas will go this summer itself and then Arsenal will desperately need Nasri to deliver for the Gunners.
Arsenal are currently on a trophyless run with the 2005 FA Cup being the last trophy that Wenger has laid hands on. With the patience of the fans running out and with Wenger himself realizing the need to win a trophy, Arsenal will have to have a star studded squad next season and this has to include Nasri. He has blossomed into a fine player this season but has a long way to go. He can achieve great things here at the Emirates and Wenger has to ensure that he stays with Arsenal as they push for a trophy next season.
Verdict
There is hardly any doubt that Wenger has to sign Nasri down to a new contract. His unwillingness to sign a new contract is a bit worrisome but if the Gunners do offer the right amount he will sign and Arsenal need him.
His demands aren’t too high considering that Wenger is willing to give rosy contracts to flops like Denilson, it is only understandable that stars like Nasri will want a good contract.
But if an agreement is not reached then the Gunners should sell him to the highest bidder outside England. I don’t see Wenger selling him to Manchester United and that is one move which will not happen.
But Arsenal and the player will benefit hugely if Nasri remains with the Gunners as Arsenal can continue their push for titles while Nasri can continue his development at Arsenal.
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