I must be excited about the start of the new season, musn’t I? The months of June and July… well, it was a struggle to write anything really as there was bugger all happening. But with hours to go before the beginning of the new Premier League season (hopefully), truly, this is the week that just keeps on giving. So here I am again. Granted, it’s not particularly news that we wanted to hear, but I don’t think there is a person on the planet who will be surprised by reports that the Arsenal board are set to okay the transferof Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona.
I’m sure you’re all keen to hear my take on it, so here goes.
I think it’s perfectly understandable that Cesc wants to return to the club he supports, the city of his birth. Especially when he must feel that he is wasting his time at Arsenal, playing for nothing whilst Barcelona are winning everything. But I have to say that I find it a little distasteful that Cesc, our captain, has clearly been behind the scenes making sure that this transfer happens. Making sure that the club that has helped him become the footballer he is, that have given him everything, get screwed on a price by the European champions. Although, I suppose I have to balance that against the fact that we nicked him on the cheap in the first place and are making a massive profit on a player whose hamstrings may well be knacked. It’ll be interesting to see how often that problem comes up this season, hey?
All said and done though, it’s clear to me that Barcelona are getting a world class performer very much on the cheap and that, well, I all I can say about it is pisses me off. It’s easy to say, I guess, that we should just dump him in the reserves for the next 4 years, refuse to sell him but the reality is, if he doesn’t want to be here, then what’s the point? So, Cesc, thank you for all those goals against Spurs, thank you for being a little genius, your passion and for producing the kind of through balls that made us, and Andy Gray, drool. But I don’t think you will ever return to the kind of hero’s welcome afforded to the likes of Henry, Vieira and Píres.
If that sounds harsh, then I should point out that this isn’t totally Cesc’s fault. The sad thing about his transfer is that I genuinely believe that, had Arsenal managed to challenge for the title across, you know, a whole season in the last three years, we’d have been able to postpone his departure a while. But he’s been surrounded, at times, by absolute dross, who wouldn’t want to escape to Barcelona if they could? There is one man to blame for this state of affairs, so it falls to one man to sort it out. And it appears that preparations for life without “El Capitan” have already begun. Of course, how much of it is true is open to conjecture, but with the BBC being told that all of the funds from the sale of Cesc will be reinvested in new players, then how can you not be excited by that? Unless we’re going to go and spent it on Ryan Shawcross, Jermaine Pennant and the like…
With the door opening and Fabregas and Nasri walking out of it, it’s certain that new arrivals will walking in through it too. It’s now being reported via @arseblognews that Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Jadson has flown into London for talks with Arsenal. And a couple of sites are reporting that Arsenal have a deal in place with Valencia for Juan Mata, pending the sales of Nasri and Fabregas. It’s a leap into an unknown future, for sure, but it’s tremendously exciting at the same time. And if it means the end of this 4-2-3-1 formation that is rendered absolutely ineffective against ten men defences, then that’s something else to get excited about.
The King is dead. Long live the King, we’ve been here before and we’ll be here again. But the club will continue.
Count on it.
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great article, really nice to see some optimists out there, and yeah i have a feeling cesc will one day think back to his move and ponder for a second whether it was the right thing to do.
now lets hope for a shane long hatrick at the hawthorns
I’m with you – Cesc has been a real star for us and it’s shame he, and we have won nothing during this time. I wish him all the best for the remainder of his career. Nasri on the other hand will get booed every time we play city, and deservedly so. Arsenal need to get rid now and reinvest in some creative and defensive players.
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Great article…we have lost far important players in the past but still moved on. I will always remember Cesc coming on as a substitute at the emirates against Aston Villa and single handedly won us the match. Orgasmic. So yes, we will miss him and I say, bye captain. He doesn’t want to play for us anymore. Like in the past, someone will take his place and Arsenal will tick again. For some reason, i keep thinking we will win something this season.
I couldnt agree with you boys more. what a nice change to read a well written & sensible article. Good luck cesc now move on arsene & get rid off Nasri & get some super quality in as promised !
Cesc did win the FA Cup!
Personaly I dont feel any particular kind of affection towards cesc. He has brought about the most disruptive and uncertain period in the history of ou club and I am in no mod to forgive. Everyone goes on about Nas being the real traitor, but I dont buy it. What Nas is doing is copying his club captain who has shown no respect and bitten the hand that has fed him. As such, I am a little short on the ‘wishing him well’ departmet.
Equally, I agree with the sentiments of Carmack with regard to finding a replacement for the pair. These should have been taken care of way back instead of our management scouring about like headless chickens. Indecision and provarication has been their watch word.