It's quite an understandable attitude, given that his place in the Argentina side is under threat. He has apparently been told that he needs first team football to keep his place in the national side.

But, given the amount of time he's been at the Arsenal without ever becoming a regular, and rarely used in his international role, it seems unlikely that his wish will be granted. Add to that the fact that he nearly left us last year, and it looks like the writing could be on the wall.

We are likely to have youngsters moving up into the first team in the midfield positions, which is likely to reduce his chnaces there even if we don;t sign any midfielders in the summer, and he's never really made it as centre back. Nelson's best chance would appear to be if Lee Dixon retires (please don't, Lee) and he gets the back-up right-back role. But most observers would be expecting a signing at right-back should Lee go.

Vivas has also been saying that he's not the card-magnet he says he's been made out to be, and that it was only through not being used to the conditions in England that he picked up a lot of bookings playing for us. On the other hand, Arsenal fans might remember that he originally signed for us shortly after being the most-booked player in the World Cup finals.

Those quotes:

"While I was on loan last season at Celta Vigo it was not a problem with the national coach as I was playing on a regular basis. "

"I am more used to the conditions in England now and although I have made more appearances this season than in the past, I would need to play more often for my national coach to be happy."

"When I first came to England the game was faster than I had played before and that's why I had so many bookings. " "I am now up to speed with the game here and believe that if playing regularly, I would not get booked so much."