Fabregas goes to Barca for £35million

[LDG]

I think he thought he was off this summer for sure.

Cunt couldn't be bothered to show up for our last game of the season. Our captain was on a jolly up at the grand prix.

Fuck him. Sell the cunt.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Isn't there a possibility Cesc has been advised not to say anything (it could even be from Arsenal)? I'm not sure what difference it makes anyway really whether he says something or not. A couple of years ago when his move to Barcelona was mooted as a distinct possibility and effectively denounced those rumours. Did that quash Barcelona's (their players included) interest? No. Actually, did it stop people doubting Cesc's motives? I'm not sure it did. So why would it now?

[Champagne Charlie]

I've got to say I agree. Cesc has been placed on a pedestal by some Arsenal supporters (especially Arseblog), who think he can do no wrong and bemoan how other players like Denilson have held him back over the last 4 years, and how he has shown amazing loyalty to the club to stay so long despite missing Barca. I think that's bollocks tbh, and the lack of word from Cesc over this whole period speaks volumes about the (lack of) respect he feels for the club.

Interesting article, but I'm not sure it's quite as simple as saying he was purely motivated by money. He was always going to struggle for game time if he stayed at Barca and when he signed for us we were still atually winning things! So I don't agree that it was greed that motivated him to sign for us.

But I totally agree with the part about Cesc being the only one who can stop the speculation. But he wont, because he clearly wants to leave. It'll drag out like it did last summer then we'll have his programme notes for the first home game saying how he loves Arsenal, is happy here and is fully committed to the cause.

Same old same old. It's just boring now. The sooner Barca stump up a a bit more cash the better so we can finally put an end to all this crap and focus on improving as a team and as a club, instead of focusing on keeping a chump who doesn't even want to be here!

[LDG]

He's a great player. And I don't believe he's quite as manipulative as Le Grove's article states.

But tbh, give him the choice between Us and Them, he'd choose them.

He's also not the best captain we've ever had, nor do I like the way in which he slows our game down.

And for those reasons. I'm out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cesc playing through balls to runners is faster than any other way we can play. For that reason, I hope he stays; if we have willing runners on the pitch, of course.

[Boss]

Cesc doesn't slow our game down at all.

Also,

11.16: You'll never guess what Pedro's been asked about at a press conference. "Cesc? Of course we'd like him to join us soon, but it's a complicated situation and it doesn't depend on us," he said.

[Champagne Charlie]

I think the perception that Cesc slows our game down is because of the lack of movement and options in front of him. So many times you'll see Cesc get the ball in the middle, look up hoping for a quick pass but there's nothing on for him so he's forced to hold on to the ball and the move slows down. You just need to look at goals like the 2nd against Barca to realise how quick Cesc's play can be if he has the right runners around him.

[Darth Vela]

Interesting view from Le-Grove regarding Cesc:



I've got to say I agree. Cesc has been placed on a pedestal by some Arsenal supporters (especially Arseblog), who think he can do no wrong and bemoan how other players like Denilson have held him back over the last 4 years, and how he has shown amazing loyalty to the club to stay so long despite missing Barca. I think that's bollocks tbh, and the lack of word from Cesc over this whole period speaks volumes about the (lack of) respect he feels for the club.

Is there anyone that holds that opinion though? I read far more crap on blogs than I really should and I've never seen someone expounding the never ending virtues of Saint Cesc, although there are a fair few that think it's not quite so black and white as all that. For example I'd much rather Cesc stay quiet than either a) crow about his love for Barca to the press and how he wants the move to happen to try and force things a iittle or b) declare his undying love for all things Arsenal...before making his move, one is disrespectful and the other dishonest, the best option is silence and the only time he's spoken about it he's taken his cues from Wenger and not said much about it at all whilst using a lot of words.

[Darth Vela]

I think the perception that Cesc slows our game down is because of the lack of movement and options in front of him. So many times you'll see Cesc get the ball in the middle, look up hoping for a quick pass but there's nothing on for him so he's forced to hold on to the ball and the move slows down. You just need to look at goals like the 2nd against Barca to realise how quick Cesc's play can be if he has the right runners around him.

Yeah, we have too many creators and not enough runners, hence why the last few players we've bought are more dribblers and runners than creators (Gervinho/Miyachi/Wellington) and with Rambo and Wilshere liking to break forwards I'm optimistic about increased drive next season.

[Champagne Charlie]

Yeah, we have too many creators and not enough runners, hence why the last few players we've bought are more dribblers and runners than creators (Gervinho/Miyachi/Wellington) and with Rambo and Wilshere liking to break forwards I'm optimistic about increased drive next season.

Totally agree. Which is why I'd love to see Theo given a chance more centrally, I really think he could be excellent for us - if he stays fit of course!