Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have been included in Arsenal's Champions League squad for their play-off round tie with Udinese.

Press Association Sport understands the Gunners have named both midfielders in their 25-man A-list for this month's two-legged clash, despite intense speculation both are set to leave the Emirates Stadium.

Were captain Fabregas or contract rebel Nasri to feature in the contest, they would be cup-tied if they were then to complete respective moves to Barcelona and Manchester City.

That would seriously reduce their value to their potential new employers, who would be reluctant to pay huge fees for the players.

Nasri is suspended for the first leg against Udinese, which takes place next Tuesday, but will be available for the second leg eight days later.

Fabregas can play next Tuesday and his inclusion in the squad may force Barca to speed up their efforts to bring him back to the Nou Camp.

City could elect to bide their time with Nasri, although reports suggest they are close to breaking Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's resistance to selling the France star, whose contract expires next summer.