Wenger sad as Nasri heads for Man City
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China Daily, August 25, 2011
Arsenal have agreed to sell French midfielder Samir Nasri to their Premier League rivals Manchester City, the London club said on Tuesday.
Nasri, who will cost around 25 million pounds ($41 million) according to media reports, was omitted from the Arsenal squad travelling to Italy for Wednesday's Champions League playoff second leg against Udinese and is set to follow former captain Cesc Fabregas out of the Emirates Stadium.
Wenger, speaking to reporters at the airport before leaving for Italy, said: "The summer was very difficult because we had Cesc Fabregas and Nasri on permanent transfer negotiations and that is draining in the end.
"We've lost two great players and that's the sad side of the story but at some stage it has to be over because you have to focus on the future."
He said Nasri was not part of his plans for the match against Udinese with Arsenal 1-0 up from the first leg.
"What you want is players completely committed to the long term to defend our chances," he said.
Despite talks of a crisis surrounding Arsenal who have started their league campaign without a goal and just one point from two matches after a poor run of form at the end of last season, Wenger said he was under no greater pressure than usual.
"I want to win every game for Arsenal Football Club and the rest of the pressure is created by your environment, but I have enough experience to take a distance from that," he said.
"I know what I have to do be at my best and that's what I try to do. I have complete belief in the team and the players I have and we have a great opportunity to show we can fight for this club."
He also played down the significance of Wednesday's match against Udinese with the winners set to qualify for the Champions League group stages.
"It's not critical, it's an opportunity for us to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League and so it's a good opportunity and we have enough to achieve that.
"We are short in midfield at the moment and that is where we have to strengthen."
