If Cazorla goes then not going for Fabregas will have been madness, as it is with Ozil, Ramsey and Cazorla with Flamini, Wilshere and Arteta we've got pretty good depth in midfield IMO.
I think letting Fabregas go to Chelsea was a mistake, how big a mistake can only be gauged when the transfer window SLAMS shut.
Fabregas isn't the demi-god some of you guys are making him out to be. His stats were impressive but to put them into perspective he played the majority of his games as a false nine, NOT as a central midfielder. Even Bendtner could get a 1 in 3 record as a Barca forward...Originally Posted by Slacker
Now there has to be a reason why Cesc was being played out of position. He was literally bought as the long term successor to Xavi, to fill his gigantic boots when he eventually decides to hang them up. But within a few months they gave up on that and shoved him upfront. Initially it was to fit everyone in the team but there is only one logical explanation why he was never trusted with a real opportunity in the Xavi role. It was because he wasn't good enough, in their eyes at least.
Xavi or Iniesta have very unique roles and Cesc isn't even close to them at their best. He's not as fluid as them, slows down the game by taking too much time on the ball and he loses the ball by going for speculative long passes when he should keep possession. He doesn't impose himself in matches and he completely disappears in big matches.
I know what you're thinking - that doesn't sound like Cesc, right? Go and find a Barca forum and read up for yourself. He's their Statinho, racking up the stats and looking good on paper but having a negative impact on the performance of the team.
The reaction from Barca says it all. Where's the public outcry from the fans? Where's his team mates telling us how shocked they are? Where's the national team coach; calling Barca stupid for making the mistake of selling him? That's what Ozil got, a player that is universally considered a better player than Cesc. Meanwhile Barca have almost got a replacement in Rakitic faster than Fabregas can be kicked out of the door. As for their fans, they were far more upset about Thiago leaving to Bayern. Again, if you don't believe me go and look on a Barca forum - on the whole they are actually happy to see the back of Cesc, who they believe was holding them back, and was one of the reasons they lost a better player in Thiago.
That's not to say that Fabregas is a bad player. We all know how brilliant he can be. But there's no reason to slit our wrists because we didn't buy him considering the CAMs we already have. I'd actually applaud Wenger on having the courage to say no to him provided he uses the money to buy world class players, true game changers in the positions we need them in. If not then yeah, bring on the rampage/massacre/mass suicide.
If Cesc were the only 'flop' or player not to fit into their system, you'd have a valid point. Yaya Toure, Ibrahimovic, Alexis Sanchez....some players just don't suit a system. Cesc is more suited to the Prem because he's used to having freedom to roam. When he first moved to Barca, Pep marked that trait as a weakness whereas here at Arsenal, it would be a bonus.
As for Ozil...the verdict is still out. He might not be the player we need. It can happen. Cesc aside, i think Cazorla had a more successful debut season. Reputation can only take you so far.
Cazorla might have had a better debut season, but Ozil was comfortably better then him last season so not quite sure what your point is?
Was Ozil that good last season?
Been around a long time and Ozil looks to me like someone desperate to move to a really big club, which he feels Arsenal aren't. Like to consider I'm wrong, but Ozil looks to me like someone who came along for a ride. Hope I'm wrong.
what have you been smoking? Ozil looks desperate to move to a big club? He just left real madrid with all their world class players to sign a five year deal with us ffs.
Ozil was good last season, anyone with a brain can see that, he massively improved the squad because he is a world class player. He got 9 assists last season, and that was with Giroud in front of him, he was a much bigger threat when Theo was playing as he could spot his runs, he would have got many more had Theo been fit.
Thanks for your respect Ollie. You're clearly so right.
That's debatable. I wouldn't say comfortably. I think Cazorla offers more drive and influence from the centre compared to Ozil. Yes, we had Giroud but Cazorla managed 12 goals and 12 assists last season. Point being, Ozil still needs surpass Cazorla's influence from his debut before we even talk about Cesc.
Technically, Ozil may be a better player than Cesc but he might not fit into our system. It's a possibility. Which takes me back to my original point about other good players that had to find homes away from Barca but they didn't suit the style.
Well then its a wonder tha Xavi/Iniesta have been integral for Barca and Spain while Cesc is a bit part.
If you cant see that Xavi has been the greatest Spanish player of all time, then I dont know what to say to you. Dictating the most successful sides, defining Tika-taka, dominating eras >>>> a few bit part assists as a pseudo-forward
Last edited by BOBN; 26-06-2014 at 09:33 AM.
Stop on.
I believe Wenger moved him forward into the number 10 position for similar reasons. Hes indisiplined and too lazy to play central midfield anymore, a liability. And at Barca he simply didnt have the technique to do so.
A very knowledgable post well done.
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