Arsene Wenger believes Samir Nasri can make an impact "at the highest level", but looks set to have to wait a little longer before completing the capture of the French playmaker from Marseille.
Nasri, who turns 21 later this month, is currently preparing for Euro 2008 with France, and negotiations over an intended move to Emirates Stadium have taken longer than expected.
It was understood the midfielder, who can play down the centre or on the wing, had been due in England for a medical at the weekend and to put the finishing touches to a £12million, four-year deal.
However, Gunners boss Wenger has indicated the formal completion of the transfer may now not happen until after the showpiece tournament in Austria and Switzerland, where France face World Cup winners Italy, Holland and Romania in the so-called 'Group of Death'.
Wenger, though, is in no doubt the capture of Nasri would prove another sound investment for the future.
"At 21 years old his whole future is ahead of him and he has (quite) a margin for progressing further," Wenger told French newspaper La Provence.
"He has, in any case, the qualities needed to assert himself at the highest level."
Wenger had made it clear he continues to have great faith in his current young squad, yet admitting they would benefit from the addition of some experienced "super-talent".
However, after seeing Mathieu Flamini walked out of Emirates Stadium to join AC Milan on a free transfer, the Arsenal boss is determined not to lose any more men ahead of pre-season training.
Reports, though, continued to link Alexander Hleb with a move to Barcelona, despite the Belarus international now playing down suggestions he was ready to quit the Gunners.
Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa is another said to be on Wenger's summer shopping list, as well as Hamburg midfielder Piotr Trochowski, Zenit St Petersburg's Andrei Arshavin and Valencia forward David Villa.
Arsenal have not missed out on promising Wales youngster Aaron Ramsey as Cardiff have admitted allowing two Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, to talk to the player. However, United remain favourites to sign him.
Sevilla's new £5million signing Lautaro Acosta claims he rejected the chance to join the Gunners from Argentinian club Atletico Lanus.
Nevertheless, confidence is high the Gunners will again provide a sustained challenge for both domestic and European honours next season having swept to the top of the Barclays Premier League only to fade over the closing weeks.
Assistant manager Pat Rice is in no doubt the players will return stronger for their experiences.
"If you go back to the close season, the so-called pundits were writing us off, that we would be lucky if we finish in the top eight. That goes to show you just how good the side is," Rice told the club's official website, www.Arsenal.com.
"I believe that the experience and the disappointments we endured throughout last season will make sure we come back even stronger and even more committed."
Rice - whose playing career at Arsenal spanned three decades and 528 appearances - maintains speculation he was set to leave the club were "a complete lie".
"As far as I am concerned, my role this summer is no different to how it has been since Arsene came here in 1996," said the 59-year-old former Northern Ireland defender, who won the Double with Arsenal in 1971.
"Until he tells me something different, I will still be in my normal role as his assistant and we will be looking forward to doing pre-season as per normal."
Meanwhile, Fulham have announced managing director David McNally is to leave the club, and will cease "all his duties and responsibilities with immediate effect".
McNally - who helped Harrods supremo Mohamed Fayed take charge of the west London club in 1997 as well as playing an influential role in securing the services of manager Roy Hodgson who masterminded a remarkable escape from relegation last season - has been linked with the managing director role at Arsenal, which became vacant following the shock departure of Keith Edelman during May.
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Comment 10 - 29 of 29
Come on Nasri. Join the club. And just wait til little Eduardo is back. Hail Wenger.
Wenger try to sign Messi. thats z perfect player on n off the pitch. Micah richards will b ideal for our defence. Glory to Emirates stadium.
I cannot wait for nasri to sign for arsenal, hes like one of my favorite players and will be my favorite arsenal player.
I absolutely trust Wengers judgement but would like to see us get other players in the Centre back positions too if we intend to win trophys. We must be ready to go the full haul playing so many games at the highest level at all times.
we are the best team in the world no doubt about it so we need to prove that by winning trophys next session.
let wait and see what the prof, it self is up to he sud sign quality players like veloso or aquillani villa or de guiza nasri ben arfa and quaresma.
No doubt, Arsene is a very good Manager. But his weakness lies in taking decisive stand when it comes issues concerning buying quality forward . He is always shaky to buy tested strikers... I guess is because of the price that comes with it ! Come-on Wenger you can become the best Manager on earth, if only you stop drag -footing over buying real goal-getters. Its no news how we lost -out this season ... lacking depth, missing glaring scoring chances(you don't get that from quality finishers) , and arsene's inability to accept mistake! I know we can do it next season ... but first put things right.
ADAM S. USMAN ,NIGERIA.
No doubt, Arsene is a very good Manager. But his weakness lies in taking decisive stand when it comes issues concerning buying quality forward . He is always shaky to buy tested strikers... I guess is because of the price that comes with it ! Come-on Wenger you can become the best Manager on earth, if only you stop drag -footing over buying real goal-getters. Its no news how we lost -out this season ... lacking depth, missing glaring scoring chances(you don't get that from quality finishers) , and arsene inability to accept mistakes! I know we can do it next season ... but first put things right.
Arsene Wenger you are diong a good job however you need to improve on players salary which should motivate them to go for the ELUSIVE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CUP.
From A. D. Muhammad, Abuja Nigeria.
Long Live Gunenrs.... How good if arsene can get another CESC to partner the existing CESC.... Gunners = Beauty of Game
Man utd are the biggest team cos they spend the biggest money, Chelsea have also adopted this policy and have over taken Arsenal from nowhere! Come on Arsenal wake up and smell the coffee if you dont buy you will only end up competing with Newcastle and spurs!
Arsene Wenger is a great coach but not a great manager. He should step back and we need to bring in Gus Hiddink. together we will succeed, Arsene on his own will not do anymore.
Arsenal have no choice but to not only compete with Man utd and Chelsea in the transfer market but to also buy more than them in order to get ahead. Arsene Wenger knows that the same sqaud will result in the same outcome. Please Arsenal, stop being stingy, break the wage structure and allow the flood gates to open and players will come. Dont be tight and they will come, field of dreams!
WENGER PLS MAKE SURE YOU BUY THE STRONGEST STRIKER IN PREMIER LEAGUE ........OBAFEMI MARTINS................THAT IS THE PERSON WE NEED NOW TO PLAY WITH ADEBAYOR OR WALCOTT............KENNY JOKER LONDON.
Arsenal is the best football team ever and i will never switch regardless i am a gunner for life always will be. Arsene is the best regardless. we are on a path that will see us lifting the EPL and champions league next season. go GUNNERS.
it has been an amazing under wenger, i went to 5 games during the season and watched of them on Sky.
We lacked depth in the squad and the decline happened when we lost 1) Van persie, 2) Rosicky and than 3) Eduardo - these three are clearly important part of the squad and getting Nasri and Toure would be perfect for us.
losing flamini was a bit of a dissappointment yes but who brought him to arsenal in the first place, Arsene Wenger. so lets just trust him with what he does. the only thing we lacked was depth, so signing big players like chelsea, man u and liverpool is not what is required, talented players will do, players who could come in and do the job when required e.g the day when we drew at birmingham ... a reserves gunners side would overcome them .... so come on you gunners lets fire till the end next time
Wenger should swallow his pride and take back thiery from bacelona.As for the new session i think he should first sell, SENRDOS, EBOUWE, BENTNER, RBP.That will give him enough cash to buy seven players at one goe.We lost the premiership because of lack of depth is he buys more i tell you we will win more.Go Gunners champions 2008-2009
jamie
i trust arsene wenger jugment on who to reccruit and who to let go. as long as arsenal keeps playing the way they presently do, am happy. the main man is the manager! come on mister wenger
ryan giggs is Aaron Ramseys idol so he is more likly to sign for utd come on utd
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