Arsenal leave out Fabregas and Nasri for Newcastle game

MOTD analysis - Fabregas in action (UK users only)

Arsenal have left Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri out of the squad for Saturday's match against Newcastle with both close to moves away from the club.

Fabregas is expected to move to Barcelona for £35m with Nasri set for Manchester City for about £23m.
Despite their absences, Wenger refused to be drawn on the speculation over the midfielders' future.
"I expect nobody to leave. There is no news. If there is news, I promise I will give it," he said.
When asked if he therefore expected the pair to stay, Wenger replied that that was "a good conclusion from my statement".

Analysis

Dan Roan,
BBC sports news correspondent

BBC Sport understands the fee for Fabregas would be £30m, plus over £5m of additional performance-related payments. A senior Arsenal source has told BBC Sport the funds generated by Fabregas's sale will be reinvested in new players. Wenger looks intent on strengthening his defence and reports have suggested centre-backs Dann of Birmingham, Everton's Jagielka and Cahill of Bolton could be targets.

However earlier on the club's official website, Wenger admitted that Fabregas' future could be decided before the start of the Premier League season on Saturday.
"That is completely the truth. We hope it will be sorted out very quickly one way or the other. We'll know very quickly," he said.
Fabregas has not appeared for the Gunners in pre-season after suffering a hamstring injury, although
Wenger dismissed the suggestion however that Fabregas had refused to play for him.
And despite Nasri starting and playing for 65 minutes in France's game against Chile on Wednesday, Wenger insisted the 24-year-old was suffering from an illness.
"Cesc is not on strike. Cesc is not injured, he's not match fit. I don't want to go any deeper than that," he added.

ARSENAL'S START TO THE SEASON

• Saturday: Newcastle (a)
• 16 August: Udinese (h)
• 20 August: Liverpool (h)
• 24 August: Udinese (a)
• 28 August: Man Utd (a)

"Nasri went for the national team, he was sick, and he has not completely recovered yet. There are no other aspects why he is not in the squad."
Robin van Persie will be captain for the side's first match of the season against the Tynesiders on Saturday in Fabregas' absence.
Without Fabregas and Nasri, Wenger will start his Premier League campaign with a shortage of personnel in midfield.
Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott are suffering injuries, while Denilson has returned to former club Sao Paulo on loan.
After the visit to St James' Park, Arsenal play Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League with two legs of their Champions League qualifier against Udinese completing their first five matches.

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