• Premier League

Arsenal name Nasri & Cesc in CL squad

ESPN staff
August 9, 2011
Samir Nasri has featured for Arsenal during pre-season © Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger has included wantaway duo Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in the Arsenal squad for the Champions League play-off against Udinese.

If either player makes it onto the pitch against the Italian side, they would be unable to play for any other club in the Champions League this season, dramatically reducing their chances of engineering a move away from the Emirates. Nasri is suspended for the first leg.

Transfer activity around Nasri appears to have gone quiet in recent weeks, with Manchester City apparently cooling on the idea of signing the Frenchman now that Carlos Tevez looks set to remain at the club at least until January.

Meanwhile, Fabregas has been the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Barcelona over the last few days - the Gunners are reluctant to sell their captain for anything less than £35 million, according to reports.

Wenger's decision to sign midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton for £12 million this week has increased speculation that Arsenal could be about to shed one of their stars, however, giving the pair fresh hope of an exit route.

The first leg of the Gunners' crucial double-header against Udinese is on August 16 at the Emirates, with the return in Italy taking place eight days later.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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