Everyone here is so on top of things. It's awesome. I go to write about Nasri; there's a fanshot. I go to write about Arsenal Fanshare; there's a fanpost. No slouches around here. Thanks to everyone for making the community vibrant and active. More on the two stories below the jump:
Firstly, the Arsenal Fanshare not-for-profit went live yesterday in the UK. The Guardian's David Conn, one of the best economics writers in football, is largely positive about the direction that Arsenal have taken in the past with regards to finances and what the Fanshare means for the club. However, SoccerLens offers some interesting counterarguments that dispel the notion that the Fanshare is a place where any fan anywhere can go and buy ownership in the club. The writer doesn't argue that it's a bad thing, necessarily, just that it's not entirely as advertised.
As long as Arsenal maintain their long-term plans for sustainability in ownership and finance, in the long run, having fans have a bit of a say cannot hurt (as long as they stay away from being influenced by the tabloids).
The other big story of the day is obviously Samir Nasri being ruled out for a month after undergoing knee surgery. He was injured in a tackle on Sunday, and for a moment, it looked like he would not be able to continue as he lay in a heap in the Liverpool penalty area. He got up and played the rest of the match and looked to be okay, but clearly there was some damage.
His play was not as incisive as some supporters would have liked, and after Rosicky came on and exhibited a more direct style, Nasri's influence on the game waned. He had had an excellent first half, however, displaying a really supple first touch and good strength on the ball. It's a shame he will miss some time, as he looked poised to really break out this year.
From the club's perspective, it is lucky to have a ton of depth at Nasri's position. The injury will not cause a crisis that a Koscielny or a Chamakh injury would have, as Cesc Fàbregas, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere, and Abou Diaby can all play a creative midfield role. Even Andrei Arshavin, whom Wenger seems to have locked in on the left, is more than capable of playing behind the striker.
Whoever plays in Arsenal's midfield on Saturday at the Emirates, here's wishing Nasri a quick recovery.