Yet Another Blow For Arsenal

According to reports, Roma are being linked to Arsenal target and Manchester City central defender Matija Nastasic. The 21 year old has fallen further down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium following the arrivals of Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis.

The Serbian international who arrived Manchester City in 2012 from Seria A side Fiorentina is seeking a way out from his nightmarish start to the season in Manchester.

He was given the all the clear by Manuel Pellegrini to leave during the summer, but he remained at the club after the transfer window closed. Arsenal were believed to have followed his situation at the Etihad Stadium with a view to making a bid but nothing came out of it before this latest development.

Rudi Garcia’s Roma had beaten Arsenal to the signing of Greek international Kontas Manolas in the summer transfer window, after the North London club dithered in their attempt to sign the 24 year old from Greek Champions Olympiacos. With this prevent development, Matija Nastasic is being linked to Italian capital side, it becomes imperative that Arsenal should try to sign the Serbian international because of the club’s greater need of a central defender at the moments.

There have been different speculations in the past especially in the summer that the Citizens might be reluctant sell one of it players to a rival, but with Arsenal’s relationship with Manchester city following the sales of Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy and Sami Nasri over the last couple of years, there is already an existing channel by which Arsenal can bring in a young defender that is experience in playing in the Premier League.

Matija Nastasic has barely featured this season, with his only appearance coming in the Community shield and in the Capital One Cup. It is clear that Manchester City would be open to sell him during the winter transfer window for a fee of around the £10 million mark. With his experience at playing behind an established partnership, he could be a good fit for Arsene Wenger’s side.

The Frenchman had always adopted the mantra that it is difficult to find good players, the 21 year old Serbian has experience of playing at the highest level with the Citizens, Arsene Wenger should at latest make an attempt to bring him in in the January transfer window, and not allow Roma to steal a match once again as they did in Kontas Manolas case.