Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool - Mancini hopes to tie up Nasri deal

Posted Sunday, August 21, 2011 by PA

Roberto Mancini remains hopeful of tying up a deal for Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri in the next two days but admits it would be a "big problem" if the Frenchman played for the Gunners in their Champions League clash with Udinese on Wednesday.

Manchester City have been chasing Nasri for much of the summer but the proposed deal is still up in the air and the midfielder made his first appearance of the season in Arsenal's 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat by Liverpool on Saturday.

Were Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to select Nasri for their Champions League qualifier in Udine, he would then be unavailable for City throughout the group stages.

After the 3-2 win over Bolton that put City top of the fledgling Premier League table, Mancini expressed his frustration that the deal has not yet been finalised.

The Italian said: "For 40 days I've hoped in two days, three days (it would be done), I don't know why we haven't closed it.

"It's a big problem (if he plays for Arsenal against Udinese) but I'm sure we can close in 24 hours, maybe 48. For Nasri it will be important he can play in all the Champions League matches."

City showed why they are expected to be title challengers with an impressive display against Bolton, albeit without ever putting the game to bed.

Goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko were the least City deserved, but Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies kept Wanderers in contention until the end.

Carlos Tevez was a second-half substitute for City, making his first appearance of the campaign after a close season in which he made clear his desire to leave the club to be nearer to his family in South America.

A proposed switch to Corinthians fell through and Mancini does not expect Tevez to leave before the end of August.

He said: "Carlos is here, I don't think the situation will change. Carlos is an important player, a top player for us and at the moment we haven't received any offers for him."

Of his team's display, Mancini added: "I think we put in a good performance. We played very well. Bolton are a strong team and I think we deserved to win this game."

Bolton began brightly, snapping into tackles and attacking at speed, and Chris Eagles and Zat Knight both had early chances to give the hosts the lead.

City gradually took control, though, and Sergio Aguero should have given them the lead before Silva did just that in the 26th minute.

The Spaniard's 20-yard shot dipped wickedly in front of Jussi Jaaskelainen but the goalkeeper should certainly have done better.

Jaaskelainen had no chance with City's second as Barry blasted a left-footed effort into the top corner but Bolton responded well, Klasnic turning in a cross from former City winger Martin Petrov six minutes before the break.

The hosts needed a solid start to the second half but instead they found themselves facing a two-goal deficit again within two minutes of the restart as Dzeko grabbed the goal his play deserved.

Mancini's side were rampant at times but they could not extend their lead and instead it was Bolton who reduced the deficit again, this time Davies heading in Martin Petrov's cross.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle was delighted with his side's play and attitude but was left frustrated by the goals they conceded.

The Scot said: "(My players) more than fought very well, they showed a lot of great quality on the ball and there were some terrific passing moves, accepting you're playing against an elite club, a club that's spent vast amounts of wealth, and they've assembled a terrific team.

"You have to give credit where credit's due and the way they can pass and move the ball we're all aware of because of the quality they have.

"But my disappointment is we probably gifted them one or two of the goals. And if top clubs are going to beat you then let them go and earn it. But they had chances in the game as we did."