Nasri in Arsenal squad to face Liverpool

Samir Nasri and Arsene Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is willing to pick Samir Nasri for Saturday's crunch match with Liverpool - despite the France international's apparently imminent move to Manchester City.

Wenger announced in his Friday press conference that the 24-year-old has been included in the Gunners' squad, with the revelation coming soon after City boss Roberto Mancini said he hoped to complete the Nasri deal within the next week.

Nasri's contract expires next summer and he has made it clear he has no intention of penning fresh terms at the club, leaving Wenger facing the prospect of either selling him now for a rumoured fee of £25 million - or losing him on a free next summer.

While there will surely be concerns about Nasri's focus, Wenger is preparing to call on him due to the shortage of personnel in midfield - he is not able to select Jack Wilshere, Gervinho, Alex Song or Tomas Rosicky for the match against Kenny Dalglish's side, while defensive trio Johan Djourou, Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore are also out.

Nasri was not in the Arsenal squad for their opening game of the season, a disappointing 0-0 draw at Newcastle United where it was apparent they missed the Frenchman's guile, enjoying plenty of possession but creating precious few chances.

Asked for an update on the Nasri situation, Wenger said: "The only thing I can say is that Nasri is in the squad tomorrow and available to be picked and play. One thing I don't question is the commitment of Samir Nasri to this club.

"Transfers can happen, but every day since he has arrived here, and every day in pre-season, he has worked with fantastic spirit in training."

Wenger has come under an unprecedented amount of pressure from fans and media in recent days following the departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona - but he remains unfazed. Much of the supporters' ire stems from Wenger's failure to strengthen the squad this summer, particularly following the departures of senior players Fabregas, Emmanuel Eboue, Denilson and Gael Clichy, but Wenger won't be pressured into the market.

"If you look at the players we have brought in, you will notice very soon we have bought top quality players," he said. "We have not lost so many players - we have lost big players but, number wise, we should be capable to do well. If we find quality, we will add, and we work very hard on it. We want to add top quality.

"At the moment I feel we are a bit short in midfield number-wise with Wilshere and [Abou] Diaby out. We are a bit short as well at the back, maybe."

Source: ESPN news