United legend Scholes can’t see the point of Arsenal
FORMER Manchester United star Paul Scholes believes Arsenal’s quest for honours next season will be doomed before it has even begun should Samir Nasri and captain Cesc Fabregas follow left-back Gael Clichy out of the club.
France international Clichy ended his eight-year association with the north London club yesterday by signing for FA Cup holders Manchester City in a deal worth £7m.
Fabregas, who arrived for pre-season training at London Colney yesterday, continues to be linked with a return to Barcelona, while Nasri is refusing to pen an extension to his contract which runs out next summer and is attracting interest from both Manchester giants.
And Scholes (inset), who is set to join the United coaching staff in September, said: “They do play the best football to watch at times, but what is the point if you are not winning anything? Not only that, they are potentially going to lose their best players, in [Cesc] Fabregas, [Samir] Nasri and [Gael] Clichy.
“Arsenal just flatter to deceive. They play the prettiest football but it doesn’t always produce the results they need. It doesn’t irritate me that people say they’re the best footballing team because, while they’re doing that, we’re winning games.”
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to meet both of his want-away midfielders this week in an attempt to persuade them to stay but appears to be fighting a losing battle.
Clichy, 25, meanwhile, who was the last remaining member of Arsenal’s 2004 title winning Invincibles, was delighted at the prospect of joining up with his former team-mates Patrick Vieira and Kolo Toure at Eastlands.
He said: “I am really happy to be joining such a great club. I can’t wait to get started and I think anything is possible with this team.”
City were, however, rocked last night by the news that star striker Carlos Tevez is determined to leave the club this summer.
The 27-year-old said: “It is with great regret that I have to inform Manchester City of my wish to leave the club. I hope that the people understand the difficult circumstances I have been living under in regards to my family.”