Some news has been emanating from Spain that a former Arsenal midfielder is not happy at the moment at the prospect of not playing 90 minutes for his team Barcelona. Instantly the first name that springs to mind is that of Alex Song though even the most arrogant player would not be complaining at lack of minutes after three weeks at his new club. No the player in question is in fact our former captain Cesc Fabregas; although the midfielder has started every game for the Catalan giants he has been slightly perturbed by the fact he has been hauled off in nearly every game so far and has broken his silence on the matter.
A strange outburst, surely something must be in the water over there in Spain as it was only a few days ago that Cristiano Ronaldo was voicing his frustrations over something within the backroom at Real Madrid. I know the last time I visited Spain I was advised not to drink the water there and stick to drinking the bottled water only surely with Barcelona DNA Mr Fabregas would be immune to anything suspect about the quality of the h2O flowing through the Catalan taps.
I feel part of Cesc’s outburst could be linked to the different personnel in charge of the first team at Barcelona, initially the Spaniard attributed part of his reasoning for cutting ties with Arsenal was down to his admiration for the man in charge at the time Pep Guardiola. Now that his former idol has moved on from the hot seat you do wonder if all is well in his relationship with Tito Vilanova. I am only speculating here but I hardly believe that Cesc would ever speak out if Guardiola was still in charge. His respect for the man would ensure anything he disapproved would be kept in-house, to speak out like that is a clear sign that 100% respect for the manager is not there.
The outburst itself was not damning of the manager directly and I suppose he was careful to not upset his fellow professionals at the Camp Nou. He did however say:
“There’s no such thing as a great substitute in the world of football. I couldn’t tell you what makes a great substitute.”
Again I find it strange to find a player not happy despite starting every game; surely to start on the bench would be more frustrating for any player. I know players love to play every minute of every game and especially if you are a striker on two goals chasing a hat trick the last thing you want to see is your number come up on the assistant referee’s board. As a midfielder who has given his all and contributed to the team performance you just have to accept a change in tactics may be required; it’s not always an attack on your abilities but as a team player you have to accept the manager sees a need for change. If the team collapses and concede three goals after you come off then you may be justified to hold your hand up and give it the ‘I told you so’.
This news has sparked rumours of a return of Cesc to Arsenal, that’s a move I can never see happening until Cesc has long passed his peak. The moment he signed the contract to join Barcelona was the very moment he was priced out of any possible move to Arsenal. We could never afford him now, unlike us Barcelona know how to tie down assets and it would take a hell of a lot of money to get him. Despite the place arsenal has in his heart even he knows it could never happen unless it was some sort of loan deal. I wouldn’t read too much into the unrest, I’m sure he will kick on at Barcelona and get over his current irritation.
Andrei Arshavin is again in the news as uncertainty over his Arsenal future will linger until all the transfer windows are closed. I believe the Russian transfer window closes on Thursday and it seems our diminutive Russian attacker will be linked with moves until it closes. He has been named in our 25 man champion’s league squad though it would be suicide not to name him in case any move was to break down last minute, so him being named should not carry any weight to the possibility of him staying at the club.
I would like him to stay and believe he can still contribute to our team over the coming season, there is a place for him in the squad and he offers a different type of alternative to our attacking options. The telegraph paper has gone as far to suggest Arsenal are willing to let him leave on a free to get his wages off the payroll. A ludicrous suggestion, I know we have not been the best at getting money closer to the true valuation for some of the players we let go but the idea of a free transfer is enough to slap who ever wrote that article.
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I dont think Cesc is on his way back but remember we have right of first refusal and a 50% sell on fee. Thi means even if Barca got 40 Million for him we only need to pay 20Million to get him at the same price!
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fair point but im sure he has a release clause of like £100m. i cant see us buying for £50m anytime soon
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True, but have you ever known a club hold out for its astronomical release clause. The figure is there to put off any unwanted suitor, but if the player started to hassle for a move it is likely that Barca would be prepared to let him go for far less to get him off their books.
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I actually think if it got really heated the club would back the player over the manager due to his value
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Good article, fair analysis….. As much as i will love to see fabreagas in arsenal shirt again i dnt see it hapenin…..
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thanks and yeah seems a very far stretch
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I thought Arsenal inserted a clause into Cesc’s contract saying we would have first refusal should barcelona decide to sell, and only for the price they paid! For all ogher clubs there is like a 100 million euro buyout fee? It was the only terms Arsene wanted before he let Fabregas leave.
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if thats true thats a nice clause but sounds too good to be true, who knows…
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You are bang on the money with your astute revelation on why Arsene let him go! That’s how I read it too.
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No point letting arshqvin leave for nothing now. may as well wait till the end of the season. then again of all the midfielders and wingers he is probably 11 or 12 in the pecking order for one of the 5 slots probably lower as podolski is more likely to get a space on the left with giroud coming in than arshavin playing. i am afraid he is in the squillaci eastmond chamak camp either waiting for a raft of injuries or waiting to join the denilson park bendtner loan bus.
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i still feel he has enough quality to bring something to the team, the euros proved how good he can be when he feels up for it
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all that Arshavin need is a change of attitude and he will be right and ready for action again. i always believe there is still more from him.
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i agree
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Unfortunately there is little or no sign that the required change in attitude is likely to happen. Much as it pains, the Russian has beome as useful as Bendtner (potentially far more skilfull, but it counts for nothing if not applied)
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Shame if doesn’t change, the euros should give him fresh impetus
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Cesc has left.
We don’t need him coming back as he will always have Barca not Arsenal in his heart.
We have to look forward not back.
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Touché, though like Thierry if the opportunity arises we can’t ignore. Though like I predict it will be years from now
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Marc:; Sorry it’s the other way round because it’s with us that Fab made his name
and we’re till in his heart and always will be….
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its a pity we are not in van persies heart, that guy closed the door shut on any arsenal ties
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Remember Cesc has a buy back clause it was 30 million and AFC has the first option ……
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Yep, it will prob be years down the line before we get a chance to use that clause
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i think he wiil come in jun but on loan so boss wenger can fix him up cesc and santi what a show that will be
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Would be an awesome pairing but I just can’t see it happening
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arsenalnews.net
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lol, even despite the rumours of going on strike and everything i still feel he would be welcomed back one day unlike van persie
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