Former Players Views

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Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has expressed his sadness at leaving Arsenal without having won a Premier League title, and feels the chopping and changing at the Emirates was the reason why they failed to keep up with their rivals.

Fabregas's only trophy with the Gunners came back in 2005, when they beat Manchester United to win the FA Cup, but the Spanish midfielder conceded that the Red Devils, along with Chelsea, raced ahead of Arsene Wenger's team after that defeat due to having a spine of players that remained largely unchanged.

"I’ll always have that thorn in my side, that sadness," Fabregas told FourFourTwo. "I wish I had gone having won something, at least to leave with a title.
"We never had a team like Manchester United or Chelsea, who have always had a base of seven or eight players together for years.

"We were always changing; one would come in, another would go, another wants to leave… in the end, it makes a difference."

The 24-year old insisted he did not regret leaving the Emirates Stadium, however, and that the time was right for a move back to the club with which he began his career.

"I thought it was the right moment," he said. "I'd given everything for Arsenal.

"I played with a broken leg, I played when my grandfather died. I gave everything but you reach a moment when you say: 'I can't give any more'."

Fabregas also dismissed suggestions that he took the easy way out by leaving Arsenal for a star-studded Barcelona team in search of trophies.

"I think I took the hardest option," he says. "I will have to work twice as hard to win a place as I did in London.

"I’m not guaranteed a starting position. I'm competing with the best central midfielders in the world, some of the best in history."

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...ea-barcelonas-

STFU

Cunt

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Originally Posted by Ach

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...ea-barcelonas-

STFU

Cunt

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Best post you've ever done tbh.

Cesc needs to STFU and worry about Barca, because thats what he did while he was with us.

Not interested in what this Barca supporter and player has to say about our club.

I think his comments are quite honest. Season before last (09/10) he was playing on when clearly injured and in pain - not only against Barcelona as people will point to, but also against Birmingham. Last season, I don't think he gave everything because he was very bad in too many of the games he played in.

And he's spot on here:

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"We were always changing; one would come in, another would go, another wants to leave… in the end, it makes a difference."

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And that's because we keep signing players like you.

Fuck Gotze, Hazard and whatever £30m names that are being mentioned.

Come on Wilshere, Walcott, Chamberlain, Ramsey and Szczesny.

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Originally Posted by Ice Berg Kamping

Not interested in what this Barca supporter and player has to say about our club.

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Thats what not playing every game and being 1st choice does to you, you have a lot of time to think tbh

His statement would blow up the most sturdy of irony meters.

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Samir Nasri has hit back at critics of his mega-money move to Man City by blasting Arsenal for failing to provide the Europa League football he craved.

Nasri - who was criticised by Arsenal fans and labelled a mercenary when he left for Man City in the summer - feels vindicated following the 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich that helped Man City finish ten points above Villarreal to qualify for the Europa League's last 32.

"I can't wait to hear the Europa League anthem as we line up on the pitch on a Thursday night," said the winger. "The hairs will be standing up on the back of my neck as I hear that tune. How does it go again?"

Nasri was part of an Arsenal side that visited Barcelona in the Champions League last season, but admits it was difficult watching new club City visit the likes of FC Politehnica Timisoara.

"If I ever wanted to play Europa League football I had to leave Arsenal," claimed Nasri. "It's been over a decade since Arsene Wenger last guided his team into Europe's second-tier competition and Arsenal again failed to land a Europa League spot last year. To make matters worse, we had to watch Spurs grab the last place. Even Fulham got in via the flippin' fair play league - at that point I knew it was time to say au revoir.

"There were moments this season when I wondered if I had done the right thing moving to City, when it looked as if we were in danger of qualifying for the next round of the Champions League and Arsenal were on course for the Europa, but now I can look forward to possibly playing Stoke."

Nasri is chomping at the bit to face the Europa League's finest. "There are no easy names in the Europa League," he said. "Whether it's FC Metalist Kharkiv, FC Vaslui or Vorskla Poltava, I can't pronounce any of them. At least I might get a game, though."

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http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/...-europa-league

:haha:

:haha:

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Originally Posted by Syntos Claus

I think his comments are quite honest. Season before last (09/10) he was playing on when clearly injured and in pain - not only against Barcelona as people will point to, but also against Birmingham. Last season, I don't think he gave everything because he was very bad in too many of the games he played in.

And he's spot on here:



And that's because we keep signing players like you. Fuck Gotze, Hazard and whatever £30m names that are being mentioned.

Come on Wilshere, Walcott, Chamberlain, Ramsey and Szczesny.

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Nutshell.

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Tony Adams says that Arsenal are the only English club that he would consider joining after leaving his role with Azerbaijani side Gabala FC.

The former England international is looking for a return to coaching after departing the Azerbaijan Premier League side in November and is targeting a return to Europe.

“Coaching is what I love. But back in England? There is only one club I would want to go back to and be No.1 or even on the backroom staff – and that is Arsenal,” he told Mirror Football.

“If Arsene Wenger wanted me to join in some capacity, that would interest me a lot.

“I enjoyed my time as coach at Portsmouth when we won the FA Cup. Now what appeals is working in Scandinavia or Belgium or Holland. Or even at somewhere like Dinamo Zagreb. An established club not doing so well. That would appeal.”

The 45-year-old recently had a statue of himself unveiled by Arsenal outside of the Emirates as part of the club’s 125-year celebrations and was understandably delighted.

He added: “I cannot tell you how good that makes me feel. I feel very humble, very proud to have something like that in my honour.”

The Englishman spent his entire playing career at Arsenal and had been managing Gabala FC in Azerbaijan for the past 18 months until his resignation.

He continued: “It was all getting too much. I was doing the whole lot from arranging to have the training pitches marked out to sorting out the showers.

“The coaching that I love doing, well that was just one of a number of things. Then there was the three-hour drive to Gabala from Baku every day. My family love Baku but the drive was just taking too much out of me. I had to hand over the coaching responsibilities.”

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...ts-a-return-to

Defensive coach?

Ian Wright telling SSN that we're a couple of shrewd signings away (one of them being an out-and-out striker in January) from actually winning the league this season!

Nice to show some optimism. Have some of that, Merse!

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Former Arsenal defender David O’Leary is confident his old club will prosper in the Champions League but does not believe the Gunners have what it takes to reach the pinnacle of European football because they are “not in Barcelona or Real Madrid’s class”.

O’Leary, who guided Leeds United to the semi-finals of Europe’s elite club competition 10 seasons ago, is convinced that both the Spanish giants will prove too strong for Arsene Wenger’s team.

“Manchester City and Manchester United going out of the competition can only boost Arsenal’s chances because they are two really big clubs,” O’Leary told Goal.com ahead of the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League.

“I sincerely hope that Arsenal will go as far as they can in the Champions League but they are not in Barcelona or Real Madrid’s class at the moment.

“And I hope that I am proved wrong by Arsenal but Barcelona are a class act, arguably the best ever club team. They look like they are a cut above the rest and Real Madrid aren’t too far behind them. I would have thought they would both have too much for Arsenal.

“But Arsenal have already shown in the group phase that they are a team that will not to be taken lightly by anyone and they will be strengthened when Jack Wilshere is back in action so with a bit of luck they could go a long way.

“They will command plenty of respect. But win it? I don't think so. Not with Barcelona and Real Madrid around."http://u.goal.com/92300/92312hp2.jpg

Nemesis l Arsenal have struggled to get the better of Barcelona in the Champions League

Even if Arsenal - who have been eliminated by Barcelona in the last two seasons and lost thefinal against the Catalans in 2006 - do not win the competition this season, O’Leary, who made a club-record 722 appearances for the Gunners, is confident the north London side will be back in the Champions League next term by virtue of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

“I do hope that Arsenal can go on and win the FA Cup and get into that top four in the league but I don’t see them winning the league at the moment,” the former Aston Villa manager added.

“Top four is definitely achievable. I still think they need a couple more players. They still need another centre-forward to go with Robin van Persie in particular but without a doubt they are in the mix for that. They have gone from strength to strength since they had a shaky start to the season so that has got to be their aim this season.”

The former Republic of Ireland international, who helped Arsenal win the league title in 1989 and 1991, believes that while the Emirates Stadium club might not have won a major honour since their FA Cup success in 2005 they still win more and more admirers worldwide due to their style of play and the way the club is run.

“Arsene Wenger could have gone to other places over the years but those other places would have not have given Arsene what he has had over the last 15 years which is total control of the running of the football club and there aren’t many clubs that operate in that way,” O’Leary continued.

“Sir Alex Ferguson has got it at Manchester United because the people at Old Trafford trust him and the same applies to Arsene and Arsenal. When I was there you could feel the tension and the pressure when you went a couple of years without winning anything. Arsene appreciates what good people he is working for.

“They are good, solid decent people. They lost a hugely important figure there last year in Danny Fiszman who was an unbelievable ambassador as well as director for Arsenal Football Club but there are plenty more great people there like Danny.

“That is what has put the club where it is at the moment in that they might not have won anything for a while but they still command huge respect and support for they way they go about their business both on and off the field. They have sound people making sound decisions.”

The 53-year-old O’Leary was honoured for his exploits in an Arsenal shirt between 1975 and 1993 when the club’s 125th anniversary was celebrated last weekend.

“It makes me feel I am one of them,” O’Leary said. “I spent 20 years at Arsenal and I never thought I would last so long at such a great club. I am very privileged that they felt I contributed enough to honour me.

“But then again what Arsenal do is just class. Everything they do is done in a very classy way. The way they look after players and the way they treat people when they are at the club is just first class.”

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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/...e-they-are-not

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Cesc Fabregas could give Arsenal fans the perfect Christmas present by returning to the Emirates.

But before Gunners fans get over-excited, the Barcelona man isn't re-signing for his former club, he's just planning to watch them take on Wolves on Boxing Day.

Barca have a winter break over Christmas and Fabregas, who insists he is still an Arsenal fan, may take the opportunity to visit old friends in north London.

"Arsenal gave me everything", said Fabregas. "And I will never forget that. I am looking forward to going to watch them on December 26 and catching up with everybody there.

"It's a special club that has always been amazing for me. I have only good things to say about them."

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http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-ne...arsenal-return

Last thing we need is this cunt at the ground. Hope hes booed

"perfect Christmas present"

:doh:

Give me strength.

he should be welcomed back of course but i'm sure there are plenty of bitter numpties ready to open their gobs about it

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Originally Posted by Santos' Little Helper (TPUKA Letters)

"perfect Christmas present"

:doh:

Give me strength.

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I'd prefer a mountain bike.

Going to the Wolves game. Thinking of making a Poster Boy of Failure sign with the cunts picture on it.

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Originally Posted by Terry Tuffnutz

he should be welcomed back of course but i'm sure there are plenty of bitter numpties ready to open their gobs about it

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I don't particularly have a problem with him, certainly wouldn't boo him. but "perfect Christmas present"?

:doh:

Give me strength.

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Originally Posted by Ach

http://www.talksport.co.uk/spo<br />...arsenal-return

Last thing we need is this cunt at the ground. Hope hes booed

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:gp:

Hope hhe does some training with Diaby tbh

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Originally Posted by Terry Tuffnutz

he should be welcomed back of course but i'm sure there are plenty of bitter numpties ready to open their gobs about it

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I wouldn't boo him, but frankly I'd prefer it if he stayed away.

Also, I'd like a road bike.

Thethk can thuck oth!

There's a SSN special with Cesc on Christmas Day. Looking forward to it.

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Originally Posted by Santos' Little Helper (TPUKA Letters)

I don't particularly have a problem with him, certainly wouldn't boo him. but "perfect Christmas present"?

:doh:

Give me strength.

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yeah but that's talksport on the wind up and it seems to be working.

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THE time has come for Arsene Wenger to shackle El Matador — and unshackle the Ox while he's at it.

It was great to see Arsenal go toe to toe with Manchester City on Sunday, and but for a couple of Joe Hart saves, they could well have nicked something too.

But as close as they pushed the leaders, it did raise a couple of points that need addressing quickly to close that gap.

First — and we have known this for ages — without a top-class attacker alongside Robin van Persie, Arsenal are only one injury away from everything blowing up in their faces.

That's why I think Arsene MUST bid for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani — El Matador — if there is any chance of tempting him from Italy next month.

It will be more difficult now Napoli have reached the Champions League knockout stages, largely thanks to his performances in the group games.

But plenty of other clubs around Europe haven't given up the ghost, and I'd love to see Arsene in the mix as well.

If, heaven forbid, anything did happen to RVP, you'd fear Arsenal would be stuffed. That's a ridiculous pressure to carry on your shoulders every week.

But when you look at the rest of the squad, where do you think the goals will come from?

Andrey Arshavin seems to be somewhere else at the moment.

This is the guy who got four at Liverpool, hit the winner against Barcelona, but just isn't doing the business.

When Marouane Chamakh comes off the bench you never really expect him to make the sort of impact you'd want.

And although Gervinho looks good dribbling and running at people, again there haven't been many goals to go with it.

That's not something you could say about Cavani, and it's no surprise that he has become one of the most wanted men in Europe.

He's the type defenders hate playing against, always on the move, always looking for the right run, always a threat.

More than anything, he always looks hungry — the sort of guy who could be having a shocker, but is still likely to nick you a goal out of nothing. That's something Arsenal need right now.

When all those fans headed north on Sunday, they travelled more in hope than expectation.

Yes, there was always the prospect of nicking something on the break, and when it comes to playing football, Arsenal still do it better than most.

But the benches emphasised the difference between the clubs.

City had the likes of Edin Dzeko, Nigel de Jong, Adam Johnson and James Milner — all proven internationals. Arsenal didn't have anyone in that bracket.

How I'd have loved to have seen young Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain among those subs. The time has come for him to be seeing a bit more of the action.

When he got a chance against City in the Carling Cup, he gave Pablo Zabaleta a hard time. It would have been great to see him running at Zabaleta for 20 minutes or so on Sunday.

I'm not suggesting that, at 18, he should be in there every minute of every game.

Youngsters must be brought on gradually. You have to get the balance right, and playing all the time isn't the answer at that age.

But the Ox has a great physique and it baffles me that he hasn't had more of a go.

If he's going to fulfil his obvious potential, the next step comes with playing against the likes of City, in high-pressure, high-intensity games with a great atmosphere.

I can see him being an integral part of things at Arsenal for years to come, but he's not going to do that if he's held back. So I'd say to Arsene: Release the Ox.

He's been grazing in the paddock for too long, let's see him feeding on Premier League defenders instead.

How good would it be to see him causing havoc on one wing, Theo Walcott on the other, with RVP and Cavani waiting to pounce in the middle?

Just now, opposing defences realise if they keep Van Persie quiet, they are pretty much guaranteed to silence the Gunners.

With another top-notch finisher alongside him, and two lightning-fast wide men providing the ammunition, back fours wouldn't know what hit them.

After the start Arsenal had, it's a great achievement to be back in the mix for a top-four place.

But until they fill a couple more gaps, that's probably the best they can hope for.

And for Arsenal fans like me who want to see them pushing for silverware, those hopes are much higher.

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http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...on-Cavani.html

Wrighty :bow:

How much would Cavani cost?

I think it is more a case of what would not having him (or a similar player) cost us if we don't spend some money?

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Originally Posted by Ach

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...on-Cavani.html

Wrighty :bow:

How much would Cavani cost?

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Doesnt matter how much he'll cost, we are not getting him. Look for an African 16 year old who is the next 'Cavani' and we are definitely getting that SOB!

Cesc back at Emirates should be nice. Hope he gets the applause he deserves for carrying a dead carcass on his back for a few years!

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Originally Posted by deeench my santa up

Cesc back at Emirates should be nice. Hope he gets the applause he deserves for carrying a dead carcass on his back for a few years!

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That's so unfair. I saw Arshavin move when someone held out a pie.

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Originally Posted by MOre Letters to Santa

There's a SSN special with Cesc on Christmas Day. Looking forward to it.

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Id rather watch the bitch speech

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Originally Posted by MaxPeck

That's so unfair. I saw Arshavin move when someone held out a pie.

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:haha:

I meant Denilson, Diaby, Almunia etc

Harsh on Denilson tbh.

With him at the forefront of our CM whilst Cesc was pining over Barca in the 08/09 season, we went 20+ games unbeaten in the league and semis in the FA and CL competitions.

Cesc comes back and we fuck up

Moral of the story

Denilson>Cesc

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Originally Posted by deeench my santa up

Cesc back at Emirates should be nice. Hope he gets the applause he deserves for carrying a dead carcass on his back for a few years!

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That was a mullet.

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Originally Posted by Ach

Harsh on Denilson tbh.

With him at the forefront of our CM whilst Cesc was pining over Barca in the 08/09 season, we went 20+ games unbeaten in the league and semis in the FA and CL competitions.

Cesc comes back and we fuck up

Moral of the story

Denilson>Cesc

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we went 17 unbeaten

w7 d10 only scoring 24

it was one of the dullest unbeaten runs ive seen in my time supporting football as we had no creativity for most of it

and cesc didnt play in the roma game away we lost

if i was at the game and cesc was there, id applaud him but wouldnt cheer. deserves some respect imo for what he did with us, but i wont boo him, abuse him etc nor will i shout and cheer. polite applause just to say thanks you did ok

Doesn't deserve a favourable reception, nor a negative reception. Pure indifference.

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Originally Posted by Syntos Claus

Doesn't deserve a favourable reception, nor a negative reception. Pure indifference.

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:gp:

Think he will get Cheers and claps though.

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Originally Posted by Syntos Claus

Doesn't deserve a favourable reception, nor a negative reception. Pure indifference.

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Why doesn't he deserve a favourable reception?

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Originally Posted by Santos' Little Helper (TPUKA Letters)

Why doesn't he deserve a favourable reception?

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:gp:

He always said he would always end up back at Barca so its not like he lied to us and it isn't his fault the way Barca conduct there transfer business!

He admits to a loss of motivation in the upcoming SSN interview.