SOCCER:SAMIR NASRI is due to fly to Italy with the Arsenal squad before the critical second leg of the Champions League play-off against Udinese despite the fact that his participation in the tie could jeopardise his €25 million move to Manchester City.

The France international’s transfer to City remains on hold with negotiations continuing over a mooted payment of around €3 million in agents fees that would inflate the deal to €29 million.

The prospect of Nasri, who was suspended for the first leg at the Emirates, being cup-tied in the Champions League would represent a “big problem” according to City manager, Roberto Mancini, though Arsene Wenger, impressed with the 24-year-old’s display against Liverpool on Saturday, is mindful only of his club securing passage to the lucrative group stage.

Significant progress would have to be made on the deal within the next 24 hours if Nasri is to be withdrawn from participation to complete his move, with Wenger inclined to start the midfielder – who has indicated he does not intend to sign a new deal once his current one expires next summer – if he is still available for selection.

Arsenal have reacted furiously after Uefa found Wenger guilty of failing to abide by the rules of his touchline ban and imposed a new two-match suspension on the manager which could leave him watching the game at the Udinese from the stands.

The club have appealed against the decision on the basis of Uefa’s venue director had apparently indicated in the build-up to last week’s first leg that the manager could communicate with his bench via a third party.

Arsenal are hoping to hear whether Wenger will be permitted to sit on the bench at the Stadio Friuli pending the hearing of that appeal.

GuardianService