Greedy Nasri, or Catalan Cesc?

Remember that stunning goal? Where did that magic go?

    At the beginning of the season (even before his great run of form) Nasri was my favorite player. He had the touch of an angel, his shooting was explosive, his technique was world class, and his technical ability was astounding. But in the recent weeks, I've grown to dislike Nasri a lot. It's not hatred just yet, but it's very close. Why, you ask? Well, for those of you living under a rock...

     Nari's current wage is 90,000 pounds a week, However, the Frenchman wants a reported 110,000. This is where the problems start. 

     

     For Nasri to have the audacity to ask for a higher salary is beyond me. Perhaps if the season ended in January his request would be justified, but the season is a total of ten months Sami. Not five. So, if the board only looked at Nasri's first half of the season, he'd probably get his requested salary. But if the board only looked at Nasri's second half of the season, he would deserve a pay decrease! So when you add the two together, surely that would mean his salary should stay the same?
     Despite that logic, it seems Nasri believes he still deserves his salary increase. Therefore, these are the scenarios we face:


1. No salary raise, Nasri stays another season, and leaves next summer as a free agent.
    The problems with this scenario are clear: he may have no drive to play for the team, which could result in poor work ethic. Also, by leaving as a free agent (if you didn't already know) we would get nothing for a player worth 20+ million.

2. No salary raise, Nasri stays another season, and signs a new contract next summer.

    This is good, but has some cons. Our fan base will be infuriated with him and it will take him a lot of hard work to win us all back. Also, if he were to stay, I suspect the reason would be because of signings we have made, our form, and whether we had won a trophy.

3. No salary raise, Nasri agrees to sign a new contract for with the same wage bill.
    This would be the ideal situation. Is it a real possibility? I highly doubt it.

4. No salary raise, Nasri leaves the club for City for a fee of around 20 million and a salary of 180,000.

    A good 20 million in the bank, but for an important player to got to a side that we will be battling with next season isn't the best scenario. I'd rather not lose him, but is it worth keeping him if his clear his priorities lie in the financial side of football?

     You may have noticed that I left out the scenario which Arsenal gives in to Nasri and raises his salary. I didn't include that because I don't see that happening. Arsenal is not a side that will flaunt their cash in a ludicrous manner just to keep a player, world class or not. That in itself is a problem for Arsenal, they have to learn to splash the cash when required. But in this case, like explained above, Arsenal is right not to increase his wage bill based on the season he's had.

     However, no matter what my suspicions may be, it's down to Nasri's decision, which I think will be 180,000 a week at city.
     Although I truly think Nasri wants to leave for the money at City, let's say Nasri wants to leave to "win things", which in itself would completely nonsensical. Going from Arsenal to City is not a step up.

     Yes, City won an FA Cup. Yes, City is growing into a European football power, but are they better than Arsenal? No. Has City consistently been in the top four for season upon season? No. Has City been in the knockout stages of the Champions League for season upon season? No. Has City gotten deep into the FA Cup and Carling Cup season upon season? No. 

Would 180,000 a week turn that frown upside down?

     But if it's trophies Nasri actually wants, why didn't he get one this past season? Who was the player that played like shit (along with others) in the Carling Cup Final? Nasri. Who was the player that had to create the chances in that final, but failed to? Nasri. Who has always said he likes the middle better than the flank, but never seems to perform in the middle? Nasri.
     Yes, we lost the final in very odd circumstances, but to be honest, we should have easily finished Birmingham off. We lost the final to a manager from CSI and a side that features Lee Bowyer, who will be playing in the Championship next season.
     It wasn't Arsene's fault we lost that final. It was the players. And Nasri, you were one of those players. So fix yourself up and do what you should've done last season, next season. Win us a fucking trophy. Because you weren't injured during the second half of the season, (when our downward spiral began) you were a part of our poor run of form. You started nearly every game, and couldn't muster much up at all. Just because you had a good first half of the season, does not mean you are better than everyone else at this club. Hard work beats quality when quality doesn't work hard.

      But of course, I'm sure his main reason to leave our illustrious club is for the money, and not for silverware. Also, just to clear thing up - I don't want it to sound like I'm having a go at City, I'm simply having a go at Nasri but City unfortunately is in the line of fire!

     And for the sake of argument, let's look at this situation with a whole other outlook:
     Perhaps Nasri never intended on actually leaving, and he just wanted to get more money out of Arsenal. If so, he's made himself a greedy, slippery snake, and he's dug a very deep hole for himself. If he chooses to stay another season, Arsenal fans will be all over him; they're not going to cut him any breaks. It will be worse than what happened last season with Arshavin. He'll need an outstanding season to win the Arsenal fans back.

Spot the winner.

     Looking at the entire situation Arsenal is in right now, it's not looking very good. If Nasri and Cesc leave, we're screwed. Even if we sign Alvarez who can play in the attacking midfield role, it would take him time to integrate into that position, which in my opinion is the most important one on the park. We need some experience (at Arsenal) in that role next season.
     I could see Ramsey or Wilshere but I still feel they both aren't quite ready yet. Arsene needs to make a decision. Hold onto Cesc, or hold onto Nasri? I'd be surprised if we could hold onto both, but we also can't lose both, even if we get 55 million in return.
     Every player in replaceable, but what's the price for replacing Cesc or Nasri? The truth is, the price is over our budget.

     In my opinion, it's better we hold onto Cesc over Nasri, but give the armband to Vermaelen, or van Persie at least. Bottom line is, Cesc is better than Nasri. We know that both of them want to leave, but who do you see giving more to the club next season? Cesc. I can see Nasri being arrogant about the whole situation, not tracking back, etc. Cesc would do what he has done, in giving 110% every game and doing whatever it takes to win. That's the difference between the two. There are born winners in my eyes, and Cesc is one of them. Nasri isn't.
     Take this for instance. Cesc tweeted this a few days before the Carling Cup Final:

     "I dont know if ill make sunday or no, but all i know is that from this moment to sunday 16'30 i wont sleep if its necessary. Ive waited Too long to captain a final for arsenal and i wont give up till the last second."

     That is what a winner sounds like.

     With that, I conclude two main points:

• We don't need Nasri at the club if his main priority is money and not giving everything for this club to win a trophy.
• Between Cesc and Nasri, Cesc should stay, but not as captain. Cesc gives more to the club and is a better player.

     You can comment below without a Google account and as an annonymous commenter, so go ahead. Cesc or Nasri? What do you think Arsenal will do with Nasri? Let me know.

     Have a good Saturday, cheers.