Arsene Wenger has accused Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini of lacking respect after the Italian made his pursuit of Samir Nasri public.
A dour draw in China, against an unfancied Hangzhou Greentown, was quickly overshadowed by the Frenchman's barbed comments about his counterpart Mancini, who is openly trying to sign the 23-yearold midfielder.
Target: City boss Roberto Mancini went public on his desire to sign Samir Nasri;
Mancini gave a television interview expressing his wish to sign the France international before the end of the month and the Gunners boss, already battling to keep Barcelona target Cesc Fabregas at the club, could not contain his rage.
'I think the comments are not allowed, they are against the rules of football and he should be informed,' said Wenger.
'I don't know what should be done. I don't spend my time worrying about what other people say, because we are focused on our game.
'What we want is respect and we don't make these comments about players under contract at clubs. Was he disrespectful? I cannot say otherwise. This comment is absolutely out of order, but I don't give it any more importance than that.'
Wenger recently hinted that City's agreement on a £400million sponsorship deal with a company close to their Abu Dhabi owners was a means of beating the impending financial fair play regulations, but he was much more direct here. Mancini may be willing to part with £30m to sign Nasri, who is entering the final year of his contract.
Fuming: Wenger has been angered by speculation surrounding Nasri and Barcelona target Fabregas;
'Samir is under contract with Arsenal,' said Mancini. 'Also for Samir it depends on many things.
'I don't know in this moment, I don't know the situation, but for Nasri it is difficult. I hope that we can buy because we need other players and I hope that this player can arrive before the end of the month.'
Arsenal surrendered their automatic Champions League place to City last season as they faltered in the closing stages of the campaign.
Former Marseille midfielder Nasri has remained quiet on the chances of extending his deal at the Emirates, fuelling City's confidence in landing their man. But Wenger will not lose his star midfielder without a fight.
The Arsenal boss has been happy to do business with City's oil-rich owners in the past, earning handsomely from the sales of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and most recently Gael Clichy, but Mancini's quotes about a player who is so crucial to the north London club have rattled Wenger.
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