SAMIR NASRI is not the type to respect reputations or play by the rules.
Once, when Thierry Henry told him to move from his favoured seat on the France national team bus, Nasri replied: "Why, does it have your name on it?".
That's the kind of prickly character Arsenal are dealing with as they begin their concerted effort to keep him at the club.
Nasri's a wanted man. Manchester United will make a bid for him this week that will start somewhere in the region of £20million.
Sir Alex Ferguson is determined to sign him, to pinch one of the best players from a rival English club.
It's all change at Old Trafford as Fergie rips up the template that took them to last season's Champions League Final against Barcelona.
They fell short of the standards Fergie demands, something he is determined to change by recruiting the Arsenal midfielder.
Ferguson is willing to alter his formation to accommodate one of the best technical players in Europe.
Nasri is that man, a pick-pocket with the ability to rob teams of possession and steal an advantage in other areas of the pitch.
United want more movement, more fluidity and flexibility as they change the shape of English football.
That's why Nasri is at the top of Ferguson's summer wish-list, a key part of a system and a new way of playing.
Ferguson intends to emulate Barcelona, but he knows they must do it even better to win the Champions League again.
Nasri has similar technical attributes to Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, quick-witted with the eye for a killer pass.
He has encouraged United's pursuit over the summer, which is about to enter the end game as Ferguson makes his first serious move.
Nasri is about to enter the final year of his contract at the Emirates, and is playing a waiting game as Arsenal threaten to bring in reinforcements.
Nasri wants a six-figure weekly salary, nudging ahead of his team-mates after his most consistent season at the club.
He also wants to compete for trophies, to cross the finishing line with yet another emerging Arsenal team.
To do it, Arsene Wenger will be without captain Cesc Fabregas, as they finally bow to the pressure from Barcelona.
They made a gentlemen's agreement with him after last summer's World Cup, persuading him to give it another go with the Gunners.
This time it's over, and he will be on his way to the Nou Camp the moment Barca's bid is accepted by the Arsenal board.
It's going to happen this time, finally bringing an end to a saga that Nasri has been monitoring over the summer.
With Fabregas on his way there will be options for Nasri - and Wenger will offer him a more responsible role.
He could easily weave him into the team alongside Jack Wilshere, pairing two skilful midfielders.
An enhanced role would suit Nasri, but their failure to compete for the top trophies continues to nag away.
It will not be easy to force through a move to United, but they certainly want him at Old Trafford.
The alternative is to sweat it out and wait for Arsenal to come up with the really big bucks to make it worth his while to stay.
What is certain is that Arsenal are not in a position to allow one of their best talents to run down the final year of his contract.