Wenger vows to fight for star duo

ARSENE WENGER last night vowed he will fight to keep captain Cesc Fabregas and contract rebel Samir Nasri at Arsenal.

The Gunners once again have endured a summer of transfer speculation surrounding Fabregas, with Barcelona lodging a £27 million bid which was rejected.

Nasri has yet to commit himself to the club, with his current deal set to expire in 12 months’ time, and Manchester United are said to be ready to test Arsenal’s resolve with a £20m offer.

However, as he prepares the squad for a tour to the Far East, which Fabregas is set to miss with a troublesome hamstring, manager Wenger maintains both men are key to the future of the team.

Wenger said: “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.”

Gervinho, meanwhile, is understood to have undergone a medical, with confirmation of a four-year deal expected shortly.

And although he refused to be drawn on specific targets, Wenger confirmed he was looking for some more fresh faces to bolster a squad which imploded on all fronts after losing the Carling Cup final to Birmingham at Wembley.

“I can promise you that we will work very hard and we have had some long nights to achieve what we want to achieve,” he said. “We are at the top level and therefore need exceptional quality to strengthen our side.’’