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Manchester City's reaction - or more significantly the lack of reaction - to Carlos Tevez's latest demand to leave reflects the state of calm around Eastlands surrounding the player's future.

, citing a breakdown with executives at the club, City responded with a strong statement condemning the "unfortunate and unwelcome distraction".

This time around, when Tevez made another plea to quit, insisting the decision was prompted by the painful separation from his family, City were more interested in completing a deal to sign Partizan Belgrade defender Stefan Savic, a second signing in 24 hours after the arrival of Gael Clichy from Arsenal, than making a fuss of the Argentine.

The message was clear: City are looking to the future with new faces and Tevez must wait until more pressing business has been concluded before his situation is addressed.

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has never lacked faith in Arsenal's team or his methods - even when painful evidence to the contrary has piled up around him.

Wenger once responded to losing a Champions League semi-final first leg at Manchester United by publicly inviting a non-believing reporter to what he was convinced would be his victorious press conference after the return at The Emirates.

He even promised "a magnificent performance". He got one all right, only meant the invite to a triumph was torn up.

Still, Wenger's optimism has rarely wavered but he will need every ounce of the old conviction when he takes the roll-call for Arsenal's flight out for their Far East tour next weekend as he ponders the most turbulent phase of his tenure at the club.

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