Time To Send Cesc Home
Nov 16th, 2008 by 'holic
Saturday, December 13th. 1997. Arsenal suffer an embarrassing home defeat to Blackburn Rovers, their fourth defeat of the Premiership season, and two of the other defeats came against unfancied Sheffield Wednesday, and Derby County.
It is arguable that a worse start was made to that campaign than this current one, as European football was surrendered cheaply at the first hurdle of the UEFA Cup against PAOK Thessaloniki.
The talismanic leader of the Arsenal side was misfiring. Tony Adams was neither fit physically or mentally, and the side was suffering as a result. Arsene Wenger knew what had to be done. The skipper was sent away, initially for a holiday, and then to work on the physical ailments that prevented him from producing that which we all knew he was capable of.
On May 3rd. 1998 Tony Adams scored the fourth goal at Highbury as Arsenal wrapped up the first leg of an astonishing double. There were still two league matches remaining, and these yielded the first defeats since that dark December day. The side performed better for a while without the main man, and when he returned he urged his troops over the line in two competitions.
This Saturday, Cesc Fabregas picked up his fifth booking of the campaign as the Gunners stumbled to a fourth defeat. He will not be available next week. If ever there was a case for cutting off your nose to spite your face, this is it. The time has come to face some harsh facts.
Cesc Fabregas is twenty-one years of age, and spent the summer helping Spain to land the European Championship. He has spent five years developing from Patrick Vieira’s apprentice into the main man. In an Arsenal side shorn of Vieira, and Henry, and Bergkamp, and Pires, Cesc is THE man at the Grove.
Not a million miles from the Grove you will find a club who cannot name their team until the day of the game because they have to check if two of their stars, over-used and played through injuries in their formative years, can walk when they wake up!
Cesc has pretty much played non-stop for fifteen months now and we wonder why he is currently less effective in the midfield than his much-maligned partner, Denilson. I think we have an inkling, don’t we?
The time may well have come for Arsene Wenger to put a fatherly arm around Cesc, and tell him to go away for a month. Go on holiday, if that is what it takes. Go home, if that will help. Drink some wine, eat some tasty food, enjoy the company of family and friends.
We can put up with the Catalan press shit-stirring for a month if the end result is we get one of the world’s greatest midfield players back for Christmas.
I’ve no doubt that there will be no repeat of the Premiership heroics of 1998. Back then we were chasing only Manchester United, who cracked under the pressure. This time around Chelsea and Liverpool are also in the mix. Three great sides will not all go into freefall. However we are all but in the knock-out phase of the Champions League, and a fresh and vibrant Cesc Fabregas is absolutely essential when those games come around in the new year.
It’s time the talismanic leader was reinvigorated.
69 Responses to “Time To Send Cesc Home”
We love you Cesc and it hurts me to see you like this.
Couldn’t agree more. Though can he take a few others with him, please?!
Ramsey can perform better than cesc in that role when cesc is playing like this.
i totally agree with u. i believe cesc looks totally shattered. he should be sent home for a month and come back refreshed. then from then we can focus on winning the champions league and other domestic cups except the prem league which i believe is officially over.
Good article. He desperately needs a rest. After playing nearly every game last season he then had to play nearly all summer and then returned injured to us. Unfortunately we have important games coming up but an on form Ramsey is probably far better than an off-form Cesc.
I hope someone at Arsenal reads this….This was the first time I came here and I must appreciate that it was a joy reading the article from a old and true Gooner, Great Stuff!!!!
And Cesc, WE ALL LOVE U!!!
I agree, totally with all said, and Norseman has a very valid point! What’s the point of even having Ramsey if he can’t fill Cesc’s role? Just for a little while, so the great catalan can rest and recover a bit. It’s true Ramsey is not the same or better player, but i bet he would give the opportunity one hell of a crack!
Yeah, I agree. Just keep him away from Hleb!
I really hope Ramsey gets a start next week, hes looked great so far this season. But knowing Wenger he’ll start Diaby and Denilson and we play shit, i can just see it happening.
I don’t see us winning the league this year as I did at the start of the season. We need to focus on the Champions league and the domestic cups. I can honestly see us winning the champions league, we seem to step it up in Europe.
He does’nt look shattered to me, he looks disinterested in playing for Arsenal, a feeling no doubt amplified by the fact that everyone else who plays in midfield is far from good enough to play for Arsenal. Cesc came in when we had the likes of Vieira, Pires and Ljungberg and now look who he plays alongside – Denilson, Diaby and Walcott – I fear he will be off to Barcelona in the summer.
Sorry GoonerMatt – There is more chance of us winning the Premiership than the Champions League.
I hear you, ‘holic, and I agree. But will AW listen? Me no think so.
I think he is shagged.if you watched the games and in previous games his passing has not been high quality as it used to be.It would be naive to blame for Arsenal’s current troubles.
nevertheless a rest would do him good and hopefully another of the young gun could step up. Who knows he might keep Feb.
it would be very intersting.I myself believe AW will drop some of the senior players for the game aginst MC.
As the 7th day of the week dawns thousands get ready to make the journey
another battle another Arsenal victory
warriors have come and gone
yet we stand side by side and remember those who shone,
but now we have gods purest fledgings
fighting our wars in these mighty surroundings,
there are those who doubt n mock,
but the babies are protected by a galic rock,
the rock wont crumble the rock wont crack ,
but we its disciples question its stock,
I dream I dream,
my team my team,
I scream I scream,
oh my team my team,
don’t let your tender years poison you with obstacles ,barriers and fears,
instead allow them to brings you the nectar of joyeous tears,
when the fruits of your hardship are their to ripe,
only then the universe will believe the the hype
don’t have any regrets don’t waste wot you have
fill your guts with the success I starve,
let age be no hinderance when u have the makers special touch
just go into each battle and prove as such,
I have no doubt that with blood , sweat and tears
your succes will kill the the mocking and sneers,
go out and conduct this orchestra as you do
show the world the rocks beliefs were sollid in you.
are carling cup team are playing better football than are so called first team!!!!!we have players like ramsey wilshire vela merida yet use players like bendtner eboua song and denilson why?i love arsenal but we are too far behind chelsea man u and liverpool,we lost to hull stoke and fulham teams we should out class any day villa are a good side but we where at home!we’l get 4th in the league maybe make last 4 of champions league get to the final of carling cup so for me are best chance of silver wear is the a cup,we dont need to sign players we just need to start useing the players we have are carling cup team have out classed out muscled and impressed so far start playing them forget there age there are good enough
Nothing wrong with cesc. It’s those in front and behind him who are letting the side down. He has continues to put chances on a plate for strikers who wast them and he puts in tackles in midfield but the back four allow themselves to get pulled out of position. Cesc can see this and at some point he is going to lose interest. Huntelaar and Loric Cana are what we need!
An excellent article. I agree and see even more parallels with the untlimately successful 97-98 double year. Going into the season Wenger was roundly criticized for signing young relatively unknown players. We ultimately had to rely on unproven teenagers like Anelka (rather than proven strikers like Bergkamp or Wrighty). The really big difference is at the back…we won the double with several key 1 – 0 victories. This year we are leaking goals like a mid-table side. In 97-98 the key was having a former defender – Petit – shore up the midfield. I think we need to do the same again for the sake of Cesc and the season.
lol…Nice poem Chet.
Interesting and though provoking post ‘holic.
But was that Blackburn game really 10 years ago…..
A strong continental lager for me please!
You raise some interesting points, but i think ultimately the reason for cesc’s poor start(by his own standards), to the season can be placed squarely, and perhaps solely at the fact that he does not have the right partner in CM. The flamster was a revelation last year, not just for himself but also for cesc. They dovetailed so well, and cesc was bestowed the freedom to go and do what he does best, dictate the play. This year he has been reigned in, the reason is clear, the boss never recruited a top level DM. Cesc’s natural game is being impaired because he is having to play an unnatural game. Denilson, i like a lot, but the two of them are just too similar, and frankly, Denilson is not ready for the role he has just yet.
The gaping hole right next to cesc in the middle of the park is clear for all to see, and until the boss does something about it, then cesc will continue to suffer.
As well as that, hand him the armband, this guy is the true captain at the club. I’m sure we’d see a tremendous lift if that were to happen, both in his own game and also in the team’s as a whole.
I agree with Biscuit. He has been way below par this year and is playing like he has no interest. He played like crap agains ManU and looked like he didn’t want to be there yesterday. I don’t totally fault him. Wenger has continually surrounded him with crap. Eboue on the right wing. Diaby on the left wing. Denilson as his partner. C’mon. After a summer of playing with Spain, he must think he’s playing in a pub league. His head is in Barcelona. Might as well send his body there as well.
Yet another blog?
A Guinness will do for me now.
complete agreement with sending cesc on a break, wasn’t the same approach applied to Henry who then came back a reinvigorated player.?Denilson or even Ramsey could cover but we definitely need a better holding player in-front of the centre backs
Your article is spot on. Cesc needs a proper break. Meanwhile stick Kolo back in at CB and ask Willy to play as Denilson’s minder in CM.
I have said before that the ban could be a blessing in disguise. He looks wrong both physically and mentally to me. There are clearly problems there and I just hope it is not that he is crying out for a return to his homeland.
I would like to see Diaby given the chance in the centre. Ramsey for all of his talent is still only 17. I have no doubt that he will become a great but he will need to be introduced in the right ways.
One other main problem is that our midfield is totally different from last year. We played Hleb, Fab, Flamini and Rosicky (when fit). Only Cesc remains. I am sure that has not helped our cause. We miss Flamini’s energy in the middle.
Just a couple of points:
(1) Last year’s squad, for all it’s talent and promise, didn’t win anything .
(2) This year’s squad without Flamini, Hleb and (through injury Eduardo and Rosicky) is weaker than last year’s.
I agree with the great article and almost all the comments but with a stronger Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool, we were never going to win the premiership this season. The cup competition’s, including the champion’s league, are remote possibilities.
Cesc is a great player who is now playing with new first team players like Walcott, Nasri and Denilson. It will take time for them to fully gel and unfortunately when times are tough there are not any great characters to call on like Gilberto, Petit, Viera, Adams, etc.
Rosicky, Flamini & Hleb were his mates and they all knew each others games. He misses them and the team definately misses Flamini.
Xabi Alonso would have been a terrific buy and taken some of the pressure off Cesc. If Fabregas doesn’t play and Ramsey deputises, what will happen to him (at aged 17) if we lose?
Wenger is a legend but even he must concede that our chances would be alot better with a world class GK, CB and DM. If he had bought properly in the summer, we wouldn’t even be talking about Cesc
One of your more thought provoking posts, holic and the subsequent drinks (in contrast to yesterday) are good and near the quality you, no doubt, hope for.
Cesc hasn’t had a bad season. By his standards, not his best though. But “the good ship Fabregas” is NOT on the rocks, maybe just a little becalmed. Nasri got the glory for his second against manure. Cesc’s defence splitting pass was Cesc at his best. That was only a week ago. I was euphoric. Yes, he also passed astray in that game. Yes, he looked below par yesterday. The entire team, Denilson excepted, did.
So, back to your theme. Yes, a break will be good for him and his fifth yellow is fortuitous in that regard. (I’ll happily sponsor a bottle of Catalan red). Yes, we’re out of contention as EPL winners. Yes, this comes at a great time. Ramsey looks like one of AW’s best buys ever. Neutron jack looks like one of the best ever youngsters to emerge. Begin to play them now. Begin to play NOW the team that WILL win the EPL next year. DON’T strive to secure a place in the top four. DO strive to get next season’s EPL team ready now.
For me that means forgetting about Gallas, Silvestre, Eboue, Bendtner as starters in the EPL this season. They won’t/can’t feature next season if Arsenal is going to field a winning side. So, play them in the FA Cup, Champions League, Carling Cup by all means. They have a short term contribution to make in those IF no better player is available on the day. They just don’t feature, as winners, in our future. Recognise that now. Plan accordingly.
Cesc will leave Arsenal around age 25 -27. He is a very loyal, sensible, responsible young man. He believes he has a job to do for Arsenal. Cesc will leave for Spain then to build his legacy as one of the all time greats. I for one, will be pleased for him and will follow him and his career to the end. Until he leaves, achieving success through his efforts and contribution, needs to continue to be strategy one for Arsenal. Treasure and polish the diamond. We don’t own it. We’re just borrowing it.
Cesc and Robin Van Persie are our two world class players. They, and they only, would walk in as first choice to any team on the planet. Build next year’s EPL team around them. Do it now. Don’t wait until next season to try out a new Gallas, Silvestre, Eboue free team. Go for it now Arsene.
i agree with some people here i think cebregas is a bit tired maybe a small week or 2 week break will do since his miss at man city is here now may be that will benefit a bit in return for the champions league game against dynamo kiev but i think he is playin a little shallow because he has no one to hold his area while he wonders of to play along side the wingers and strikers. and that is what gilberto and flamini use to do and that is what we are missing no doubt abuot that so i think that wenger needs a defensive midfielder and maybe a centre back i respect aluminia and he is a good keeper the reason why he lack sometimes is because the wall of the team doesnt guard the box how many times has legend lee dixon said on match of the day or on the arsenal live shows that his former manager george graham said make sure that the opponents dont enter the 16 yard box keep them away and that created better counter attacks, so wenger please bring in a experienced defensive midfielder WE BEGGGG !!!!!!!!!!!
I think Arsene Wenger should do something about d team, If i will suggest something i think papa should sell niklas bendner and buy new forward.
Great post and great points Holic
Cheers
Couldn’t agree more. He needs time out, not only to recharge but to get “our” Cesc back. If he continues like this then in the summer he will leave.
great Shout about CESC the only other problem is that when he comes back we are still short of a flamini type midfielder so it will not be long before he is knackered again as both denilson and song are certainly not the answers
We’ve lost Cesc and the club is to blame
The Adams situation was actually forced on Wenger, TA said he wasn’t happy with himself and offered to retire. He removed himself from the equation. Fabregas clearly needs rest but I don’t see it happening. The trouble is he has set standards so high that we are ruminating so thoroughly over his loss of form, it’s Denilson’s fault, it’s because he misses his mates, it’s because he’s tired, it’s because he wants to go to Barca and doesn’t care. The fact is that he is simply off form, it happens to every player at some point. Cesc will get it back soon enough, players of his quality always do.
keenos over at http://www.fansonline.net/arsenal/article.php?id=333 has got it spot on, and the ones who need to get his message the most are the players.
cesc needs to take a break.
why do people jump to the conclusion that selling him is even an option? he is an investment above anything else, and needs to be managed as such. why does talk of selling him come up so soon after a bad spell? ever heard of rotating the squad? he’s only 21, and WILL NEED A BREAK from time to time.
I think that cesc is getting used to a new midfield. It took a whole season (06-07) for cesc to get used to playing with hleb and rosicky. Then last season you saw the chemistry between them it was telepathic at times especially with hleb.
And as much as it pains me to say this we will definatly see the best out of this team next season IF we keep the players (especially cesc) and i believe we will.
When him nasri, walcott and denilson start to know each others game better we will play the football we played last season with cesc being the main man again.
This season i think we got a real chance of getting in the carling cup final if the draws go our way and that will be a great achievement with this young team. We also got a chance in europe. In the 05-06 season in the league we didn’t do that well so we concentrated on the CL and got to the final. The same could happen this season.
But I believe that this team is special still and cos’ its so young its got a lot to offer. I have seen enough this season to make me believe that already and we will learn from our mistakes
Mista Ken, Ray and others who know we need to buy are correct. Cesc is reacting to a situation that is becoming a waste of his time. Our problems can only be solved in Jan and over the summer. Flamini is having the last laugh.
I agree with the poster who says he doesnt look interested. It is much like Henry in his last seasons. We’ve been in transition forever. Its always next year with Wenger and Cesc is not a youngster anymore. Hleb and Flamini didnt buy into Wengers vision & Cesc doesnt play like he believes in this team.
I would like us to go hell bent on winning the fa cup.It is fairly achievable and would bring some confidence in to these lads.They clearly arent capable of winning Pl neither the cl.The fa cup is 6 or 7 games and if you are lucky on the draw you can get some easy games.
couldn’t disagree more, i feel thats the last thing cesc needs. if he goes home for a month then he will realise what hes missing in spain and probably move back their in the summer. i feel rather than be unnessacerily nice to cesc, we need to do the complete opposite, drop him. we need to show him that even he (the main man) can be dropped if not playing well. look what happened to ade, hes been out for a while (albeit injured) and he comes back against villa and was the only player who looked like hew actually cared. cesc needs a kick up the arse, and quick, this will kick start his season and our season. while yours is an interesting idea i just cant see it working.
Aw does not know what has hit arsenal during the AV game. Well let me, a layman,tell him.MU gave the gunner ballerinas as stage to perform .And they took it,literally,by storm .
Most teams are not naive anymore. During Pires time they would admire the gunners beautiful passing game.Not anymore.
They are going to deny the gunners time and space and harasss the gunners players 90+added time.That sums it all up. And the gunners play into the opponents game plan by trying to thread passes thru two lines of eight to ten defenders.It may work some times but more often it doesnt.
result?A high ball from defence is kicked high into the Arsenal half.It’s one on one or two. The gunners are mugged not only by Hull but by Villa.
AW has to counter the physical side and stop playing like the Brazilians who could have won more WC if they had not
swown to uhold the motto:you score one I will score two. Alas it aint that easy. preventing goals is easier than scoring.
That sums it all up.
I soo agree with you! Cesc needs a break. He and the club should recognize that he’s not a machine, he’s a man! No matter how badly one wants to play, some times the body just need a period of rest!!
well written, to be honest, i havent looked at all the comments, stopped at the forth comment, but am sure if i continue till the end, i wil not find anyone that would disagree with you.. and if there is any one that would, ” lets just say that some people choose not to be true to their selves”…………..am sure that any arsenal fan does not question the quality, ability or talent of CESC, but if a holiday is what he needs to recoop, then be it, to the quality of replacements we have on the bench am sure the struggle if any can hold us for a month or two…
your wrong,no disrespect to denilson but we put a sierra next to a bentley in the midfield garage,we asked denilson to partner cesc an its not compatible! thats the problem!
For someone who has taken the time to dedicate a blog to Arsenal, no doubt spending more than a few minutes to write about them, it’s amazing how little thought you seem to have thought this through. Cesc hasn’t been playing well. But I do think the main reason for that is that he has had to do most of the dirty work, as denilson is not a defensive midfielder. Cesc’s forte is not running around, he is never going to be one who covers the ground with ease…thats why flamini was so good. Put Cesc next to a proper defensive midfielder and we will see him return to form again. It’s strange as the reason one would suggest that Wenger has used denilson is for his creative ability, and yet flamini was much more powerful at striding forward… he was a much better passer than most gave him credit for…and I don’t think denilson has really improved our attacking play, more hampered it. Maybe he will fit the role, a year and a bit back many wanted us to sell flamini to birmingham. But at the moment, he is not only not delivering, but is holding others back. The idea that Cesc should go is madness. Its short sighted. People criticise our defence, but gallas and toure haven’t suddenly become bad defenders, we aren’t getting our creative players in position to realy use them, and don’t have a midfielder who can shield central defence. Give him someone alongside him to allow him to play his game, and I’m sure our fortunes will improve. And I am sure all the doom-mongers here will be the first to cheer!
i think cesc so tired after played almost every game. i think arsenal also need a natural striker like cisse.. i don’t like bedtner because he not quality striker.. i hope vela will start next week.. fuck of bedtner
Can’t blame Cesc though!!! AW & the board always stated they are ambitious on winning silverwares & commited to take Arsenal to another level. When come to transfer window, we not only failed to bring in David Villa (who Cesc had expressed on numerous times he would like AW to recruit him to play alongside), we failed to bring in players who would address the current weaknesses of the team!!! I won’t blame him if his heart & soul is no longer with Arsenal & if he wanna move to Barca or Real Madrid!! It is AW & the board that “cheated” him!!! On the other hand, the burden entrusted to our young players might be “too heavy” for them to bear?! You refuse to go into transfer market & address your weaknesses & yet you expect your young crop of players to shine & challenge for trophies?? Losing more home & away games might be a blessing in disguise this season since all the rants from supporters are not being heard…. With the never ending “experiments” that AW & the board having plus the leaving of experience/established players each season (which leave us yet in never ending transition stage), I’m not sure when Cesc will have the chance to lift any trophies!!!
Poorr Fabergas! He has to do everything in central midfeild without much help this season. No wonder he is jaded. He really needs someone to fight, so that he can then launch our attack What does Arsene expects him to do? Fight the battle and then be creative the next. That’s is impossible. He can run the midfeild but he needs a fighter beside him. i would even play Dunne, at least he has a spine.
We have no winners this season. Henri who usually carries the team in this typeof situation is ling gone. Last season was a BLIP. The other teams in the BPL were playing to our style the first time and did not knw how to cope. This season all the smaller teams knows how play against us…..we will continue to loose points to them. The big four, I predict will drop points against us, as they will not adapt their play to a more physical chasing game when playing us.
Changes deintely have to be made, both players and playing style. We need to adapt to differing conditions. Otherwise we may not be in the Champions League next season. An absolute disaster.
Arsene Wenger should have put a fatherly arm around his checkbook and gotten som experienced quality to put in the middle of the park, to take on some of the responsibility that is Cesc’s burden… To send Cesc away for a month and leave Wenger with a selectionsproblem in central midfield containing Song, Denilson and Diaby is probably going to cost me a couple of nights of sleep…
Anyway, hope Ramsey get’s the nod @city, he’s got something about him that the rest of the midfield lacks….
Great article, thanks ‘Holic! Like your attitude, like your writing.
Denilson just don’t fit in there… it would be great if he could prove me wrong though…
This idea makes alot of sense in principle. However it hinges on who would AW select to replace Cesc. I think most people would scream Ramsey but I really don’t think AW will do this. I feel he is far more likely to go for Diaby or Song in the middle – with Eboue providing extra coverage if needed.
I suppose I am agreeing with DennisB. I also hope I am wrong and Ramsey plays against City.
Couldn’t agree more! Yes send him home, but no, not for a month, send him home until we find him a decent partner in midfield!
please how can we make sure Arsene Wenger gets this article? because it was horrible for arsenal fans all over the world. i can bet with my life that Aston villa couldn’t have done this to the young guns.
a radio station in Nigeria said arsenal are doing like a light bulb (on and off)
Great read but i dont agree. Its clear Cesc isnt performing as on the same par as usual, he is doing almost twice the work he was doing this time last year. Signing a solid defensive midfielder (ie Yaya Toure) would do more for Cesc than a holiday. That will sort him out.
I think Van Persie is technically gifted and can change a game in the blink of an eye, but he is so wildly immature and arrogant that you can’t rely on him – he’s a 30 minute sub until he grows up – it also suits his intelligent and fierce style to bring him on to mix things up.
To play RvP regularly you would need to sit him in the hole behind a genuinely grown-up striker. Adebayor’s great, but their attitudes are too selfish to genuinely gel.
I’d play Eduardo with Adebayor.
Fabregas needs a proper ball winner alongside him – not an invisible wall like Gilberto or Makelele, a ball winner like Gattuso, Flamini, Vieira, Anderson (I’d break the bank for Anderson, who I think is just brilliant) – someone who covers distance and makes tackles. Actually, it could be Ramsey – who has a Boeing engine, likes a tackle and passes well enough – just needs a different job description.
Maybe try them together for a few games. For extra confidence, try Denilson playing the invisible wall roll behind them.
great article, couldn’t agree more, ramsey has looked excellent and deserves a few games and cesc desperately needs a rest and to re group.
Top words, let the break start the day after the Champs Lge match against D Kiev – we win we qualify for the knock-out stages. Give Ramsay his chance, play Willshere off the bench and suggest to Theo that his one goal in the league this season isn’t really good enough and wlecome Cesc back in a month up for it again.
i don’t think Ramsey is good enough to be in place of Cesc..
i think u stop blaming the wonderful cesc and face the problem.i believe its time for wenger to leave.his a wondeful manager but has completely lost the will to win.we all saw the problems we had last season but the solution from the manager is to loose diara,flamini and gilberto without replacing any of them,another solution is to sign silvester from united,the fact that united failed 2 sell hienze 2 liverpool last season tells u the story.cesc already has 5 yellow cards,that shows he is defending more than he used when he should i actually be waiting for the ball. i think song,ebue,danilson,sylvester,diaby can never get into chelsea and united 1st 16 not 2 talk of thier 1st 11.we only have like 8 players in that team that are worthy of a team that want the title.
i think we will struggle 2 get 4th place next season because we will actually end the season loosing close 2 12 games.every team now believe arsenal is beatable.
its time 4 us 2 face the fact,we don’t have a team,we don’t have quality in the team and we are no longer in the same class with united and chelsea,even liverpool.
we now have the top three in league,next 4 which is the group we now belong to with villa,spurs,everton.
Biscuit is right. He just looks so disinterested, like Biscuit said, he came into a side with Freddie, Viera and such, and now he has Denilson as a partner, and Walcott/Song around him, like he said, with Hleb he could always be guarenteed a quality pass back wherever he ran or whatever direction he went in, can he expect that from Walcott or Denilson? No he can’t. Sort it our Arsene, you stubborn f*ck. Stop trying to prove your point using unproven players and buy, like the rest of the contenders have. Cesc will deffo be wanting to be off in summer if nothing happens, thats for sure, he has hinted to it all the way through the season. Listen up Arsene.
Nice article ‘holic. Great historical guidepost too. A guidepost that, if nothing else, should remind us that the season can in no way be decided come mid November.
Yes, I believe you are right that Cesc is well overdue a rest. However the concerning issue is not only that Cesc needs a rest but also WHY?? As has been said, the poor fella’s knackered because he needs more support alongside him NOW and is simply being called upon to do far too much.
For all the very obvious talent of Ramsey (who I think is monumentally talented) and Wilshere, I think it is an expectation too far for these inexperienced players to be leading Arsenal into a high profile PL or CL game, which is why AW has advocated for all these years blooding them in via the Carling Cup (which I dearly hope we can have a crack at winning this year).
Alonso would have been a steal. Senna would have been worth a serious punt, as would a hungry and ambtitious Barry have been a great strike partner for Cesc.
Wasn’t it Winston Churchill who said “A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.”?? On the matter of adding much more steal and experience to the defence and midfield…..I think Arsene needs to change his mind!!!
Very good piece – as always. A tad over optimistic though. As you say in ’97 it took ‘til 13/12 to “achieve” 4 defeats – so we’ve still got time to rack up some more; and probably will.
Just back from Madeira so fortunately missed the Villa debacle but I was at The Grove for the mancs and, despite a great team performance, Cesc was very poor – by his standards.
Previously I’d have gone along with the argument that his dip in form is because he no longer has Flamini (or an equivalent) alongside him but against the mancs Denilson was excellent yet Cesc still couldn’t raise his game. Yes it was a great pass for Sami’s 2nd but there was an overall tiredness that was sad to see.
Replace him or Denilson with Ramsey and see what happens. It simply can’t be any worse.
And for Christmas I want to see the back of Gallas and the chequebook being got out of mothballs. I have been good Santa, honest . . . .
Possibly the best player to play next to Cesc was playing against us on Saturday. Gareth Barry would fit in well next to Cesc and give us that little bit of experience that we seem to lack. 18 million seemed a lot in the summer. Looking at it now, it might well have been money well spent
Blimey D… you have done well for your self.. The site is thriving.. we must have a beer some time ,, I fancey CC clash.. I can get tickets for the Emerates.. Great site for gooners … but … !! yep you got it .. hope all is well with the wifey.. C
Wenger is ruining Cesc. His credit rating is now going backwards.
Cheers c,
I take it Mrs c’s job has brought you back? CC semi-final seems on the cards. Mrs ‘h back in in three weeks so here we go again.
Thanks Don, Garrett, and Steve T. Really pleased with some of the discussion generated here. I’m still a bit concerned that signings in January have rarely had an immediate impact (other than to cost Man City the League when they bought Rodney Marsh!)
I think we have to work on the attitude and performance of those we already have now. No question we needed two more players in the summer, but mid-season is a different kettle of fish. Plus the right players have to be available, and that was part of the problem in the summer.
I exist in the UK 40% US 60% .. But soon to change..
Life is very upperty on the gooner forums these days.. If you do get rid of Reg New .. There will be tears!! and Tears of Joy in the true end of Norf London
@cusop,
could you please tell me who “Reg New” is? Many thanks!
jack the ripper was a bad bollix