Arsenal have included in-demand France international midfielder Samir Nasri on the club's pre-season tour of Asia.
France playmaker travelling while Cesc stays at home
Arsenal have included in-demand France international midfielder Samir Nasri on the club's pre-season tour of Asia.
The talented playmaker is thought to want a move away from Emirates Stadium and he has been strongly linked with a summer departure.
Manchester United and City have both been linked with the 24-year-old, who has one year left on his deal, along with London rivals Chelsea.
Team-mate Cesc Fabregas is once again being linked with a move to Barcelona, but while the Spaniard will not be travelling - Nasri will.
Fabregas is currently suffering from a hamstring problem and manager Arsene Wenger has decided the best course of action is to allow him to remain in England.
Fight
"Fabregas will not travel because he still has a small muscular problem," Wenger told the club's
official website. "He will stay and practice here.
"Our position is always the same, we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him.
"Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him."
In previous seasons Arsenal have travelled to Austria and Holland and Wenger insists it is paramount the club give their fans the chance to see their heroes up close and personal.
"The Premier League is very popular in Asia and Arsenal are a very popular team in Asia," Wenger told the club's
official website.
"Many of the players have never been there so we are very excited about it. It is a good experience for the team.
"You expect to see many Arsenal fans and, from our side, we expect to give fun, pleasure and enjoyment to the people who come and watch us play."
The imminent signing of Lille striker Gervinho has not been completed in time for him to join the party, which includes youngsters Ryo Miyaichi, Emmanuel Frimpong and Carl Jenkinson.
Manuel Almunia and Nicklas Bendtner, who is also being tipped to leave the club during the close-season, are not included.
