Let Nasri go… but buy defenders Arsenal

Arsene Wenger’s worries just got worse. While his problems upfront – with the unsettled stars Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri looking at offers to leave the Gunners - Arsenal's defensive problems continued.

Centre-half pairing Salvatore Squillaci and Johan Djourou both gifted goals as the Gunners threw away a two-goal advantage in the Emirates Cup.

Robin van Persie and Aaron Ramsey had earlier put the Londoners in control at their Emirates home.

Wenger, of course, refused to get carried away by this pre-season setback.

He was quoted in The Sun as saying: "Let's be relaxed. If you want to start a crisis before the start of the season I can understand that, but I don't see the need."

Wenger also refused to be drawn on his team's shortcomings.

He said: "You never want to concede goals but I don't want to give too much importance to that.

"I knew the second half would be more difficult than the first half. We got caught on counterattacking because at 2-0 up we wanted to play.

"We have some improvements to make in some areas, including in the way we win the ball back. And on set-pieces we were not entirely convincing today."

Wenger is fighting to persuade Fabregas and Nasri to ignore lucrative approaches from Barcelona and Manchester City in favour of another season at the Emirates Stadium.

Fabregas was absent from Saturday's draw. Nasri did feature against the Argentine outfit, although the France midfielder remains a firm target for City.

Wenger fears both players may be ready to leave if they are allowed and the Arsenal boss has told them to prove to him that they remain committed to the north London club.

"If Fabregas is committed to this club and wants to stay, no money will get him out of here," Wenger said.

"Nasri needs to be committed as well. On the sporting side, he is an important player. We have to deal with the situation one way or another. In the next 10 days we have to be clear on that front."