Chippy, Please Don't Go!
May 18th, 2010 by 'holic
Those who know me will confirm I have the temperament of a truly miserable old sod when it comes to transfer speculation. I don’t understand the near hysterical reaction to stuff brought into the public domain by journalists, reputable or otherwise, around the globe.
To stop this from turning into a lengthy essay on the subject I will just say there are obviously very good reasons for this speculation to be ramped up by the publications (and often at least one of the clubs’) involved.Everybody, I thought, understood this. The mass hysteria on football sites today suggests otherwise.
I deal in what I know, which you may be surprised to hear (or not!) is not a great deal more than you. The Guardian really set the ball in motion this side of the channel by quoting Joan Laporta’s claim that both David Villa and Cesc were bound for Camp Nou.
There has never been any doubt that Barca want Cesc back, and in fact I don’t doubt that contact will have been made as well by representatives of Inter, Real, Chelsea, Manchester City et al. Cesc is one of the best midfielders in the world and as such any club would want him, were it possible.
So yes, I don’t doubt there has been contact. Cesc has never made any secret of the fact that one day he would find it hard to resist the lure of his home town club. Is that time now? The only reason I have to doubt it are the frequent, and recent, denials by Cesc himself.
Now we have been through this situation before. In the Wenger era it happened annually with Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry. Eventually both did move on, but not until the time was right for Arsenal. Contracts may be said to mean little these days, but the circumstances of this particular transaction are not lined up in the Catalans’ favour. Contracts do mean something if the club being pressured to sell has no need to cash in on the target.
I’m reminded, very much, of a similar situation that surrounded Liam Brady when the big clubs of Europe started making overtures to the owner of a left foot that made Christy Brown jealous. For two summers we suffered the seemingly endless reports that ‘Chippy’ would be off. He eventually gave us virtual notice that 1979-80 would be his last at Highbury.
When he left some suggested it was because Terry Neill had not invested sufficiently in a side that threatened to win major honours, but never quite fulfilled that potential. You can see from some of the stuff written today that those same reasons are being superimposed on these rumours as ‘fact’ by people who, like you and I, know nothing of the sort.
Liam departed on good terms to prove himself in another land, and in a different style of football. I have no doubt that one day Cesc will do the same. When he does he will still be held in reverence by those who have had the enormous pleasure of watching him grow and develop into a major talent in the red of Arsenal.
Is that day near at hand? Barca are cranking up the pressure because they can. The last time I saw Cesc directly and verifiably quoted he was proclaiming his happiness at being with Arsenal. I have to accept that at face value. I know he will go one day, but that day is not necessarily imminent just because a storm has been whipped up by a Spanish newspaper and amplified to the n’th degree by an internet audience with a voracious appetite for the sensational.
And do you now what, ask Liam Brady if we can survive the loss of one of the world’s greatest midfield players and come back stronger than ever? When and if it happens, of course.
119 Responses to “Chippy, Please Don't Go!”
No drinks? That ain’t right. I’ll have a pint of DUtch lager and a pineapple chaser.
Pineapple, Snail? Oh dear me 😉
Toast .. Were all doomed by the way
A bit of sense and rationality after all the bulls**t today
Heh!
Spelling mistake. I didn’t expect to see you here 😉
Ha ha Ive read your blog for ages oldman .. And im suprised youre familiar with my native tongue.
It’s summer. You’ve got to get into the spirit of it and the weather is set fair for the next few days. Make the most of it. Oh, and I’ll have one of them umbrella parasol thingys… in the pint glass…
Summer?? What part of europe are you in?
Grandad hols, does this mean that there’ll be an arsenal after cesc eventually gives up playing soccerball?
The tropics, west of London.
The tide is turning, oh so slowly. Some sense in the Press Box. This from Twitter.
johncrossmirror
#Arsenal will not give up on Fabregas without fight, reminding him he’s on long contract, skipper,there’s been no offer and don’t wanna sell
about 1 hour ago via Tweetie
Nice one ‘holic and a nightcap for me before I hit the sack
Dino – Please read my previous comment were all doomed .
Gardletter, I am widely travelled, and multi-lingual 😉
Holic
Cesc beware.!!
Hasn’t anybody told him the saga of Overmars and Petit.
Off to Barca in a blaze of glory,within 3 months Petit was ringing Wenger begging to come back and Overmars later admitted it was the worst decision of his career.
Hasn’t he seen the demise of his buddy Hleb who hardly played for Barca after he left us.
What is the boy thinking of.??
Iniesta and Xavi are the 2 playmakers at Barca and they also are first choice for Spain.
He is delusional if he thinks he will play regularly for Barca,they are like the Jackdaw that collects all the shiny baubles and then finds out he has too many to fit in the nest and so tosses some out.
As good as Cesc is,he could be in for a very painful lesson.
Over the past 40 odd years i can think of only 2 players who went on to long successful careers after leaving the Arse,and that’s Brady and Ray Kennedy.
Someone should have a good long talk with the boy.
regards
clive
If he does go I think it will be my generations Brady. I remember seeing the play version of ‘Fever Pitch’ which Hornby had directed and chose to emphasise the sorry of Chippy’s transfer via a wailing song ‘arrivederci Liam’ Some still weep, but I was too young to feel it.
I started to believe he’ll leave once John Cross, whom I believe we both respect, tweeted ‘Sorry, he’s gone’.
If he did go at this point it would be very different to when Thierry and Patrick left as the best of Cesc will come elsewhere.
All of today’s stories seem to have overlooked that we hold the very strong hand of a long contract and not having to sell, even if Cesc asks nicely.
Surely agreeing a fee is still an important part of a transfer deal?!
Rum and Coke. Cheers ‘holic.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Come on the Arsenal, Victor Imoukhuede. Victor Imoukhuede said: Nice! RT @TheGoonerholic: Chippy Please Don't Go http://bit.ly/d0TiUW. Time for a snort, I think! […]
Well said as always ‘holic. I agree completely. Been a lot of huff and bluster today but I won’t accept any rumour-mongering about Cesc leaving until I hear it from as more respected news channel.
What’s more, players will come, players will go. There’ll always be the Arsenal!!!
Keep on believing 🙂
John Cross earlier today:
Sorry, but he’s going and it may get messy. Shame to end like this for Arsenal. The story is well sourced, believe me
about 5 hours
dino, long time no see. How’s it hanging mate?
Clive, good to see you again too. Remember Joe Baker going? I thought I would be crying for the rest of my life.
Thanks for dropping by, Joe, and welcome to ‘holic.
Finally we get some well written ideas on the subject. I think Cesc might leave but if now, we are not sure though with all this media bull, this is what we are going to get until we know if hes’ going or staying for sure.
I have a gut feeling it’s for real this time around. I wish Cesc the best, his last game for us was playing with a broken leg, you can’t ask for more than that from your Captain. Since he’s been at Arsenal he’s won 1 Cup, in that time he’s seen Ashley Cole win literally everything. For some Players it’s important to win trophies and that’s where Wenger has lost the plot. Wenger will have the Summer to show us that he’s still the man for the job.
Cheers ‘holic. Been enjoying your posts since I found them and discussing things with you over on Twitter as we are now (@TheArsenal_) Fingers crossed Wenger can persuade the little magician to stay.
Cue ‘holic for some sense in all the sickening madness, and a drink to boot. Bombay Sapphire on the rocks would be nice.
Depressing stuff that, Le Bob. You sure I can’t tempt you with a drop of Asbach? 😉
oh ‘holic, I’m still in mourning for Chippy. Somehow though it’s different. He went to prove himself in a strange land, we all knew that Europe was the place to be for the elite in English football (the few). I grew up watching Brady. When I saw Cesc for the first time, I was old enough to recognise a very special talent, went away the night of his debut… ‘who is that boy! Francesc? who?’
We definitely need Cesc. I wonder what Cesc needs – apart from trophies(!). Perhaps he needs to be surrounded by players of a similar calibre. He won’t get the same degree of adoration. Or the same degree of attention by the likes of – ooh just about any English defender/DM (unless in CL of course). I wonder whether he will find it easy, perhaps not as competitive, you couldn’t say dull. We all hope he will stay, we all know he will go (just not when).
But can we survive his loss – of course, no question. Just as we will survive without Arsene. But to win things…well we all know what we need to do that, don’t we?
God I’m rambling, think I need something stronger to knock me out, the tequila’s not working
I think we all accept that one day Cesc will leave for his home country. I would just be mightily pissed off if it was now. I believe very little of what gets aired in the media but for some reason these comments seem to have far more truth about them. Various comments on Sky today have reported that a meeting took place some weeks ago between Cesc and Arsene. Wenger assured Cesc that he was bringing in new names to strengthen the side and turn us into world beaters. Cesc asked who he was bringing in. Arsene could not name one name.
You are quite right holic, this is of course all speculation and paper talk. Lord knows the vast majority they print is total shite. We have so far been linked with 10 new keepers at the last count! But this just leaves a bad smell. A very bad smell. I for one will be mightily unimpressed if a deal is done.
Nice one ‘holic. Been waiting for a reasoned response. Wrighty7 reckons AW is abroad, so how could talks have taken place?
Wouldn’t have taken it at all seriously if it hadn’t been for John Cross. However, we all know that AW sells only when it suits him and not the player, so I can’t see it happening this summer.
I have an early start, so just one for yourself, landlord.
Fuck it. I know it is Tuesday but I need beer. Got any good ales in holic? Nothing too strong but I intend to go passed the gallon mark.
Truth is; if all the noise about Fab was tailored towards a player like Melo coming to Arsenal, I would have gone to bed tonight a happy man. Why? Bc sources are just too many to be completely ignored!
Much as my mind tells me to ignore them as unconfirmed rumours, my heart warns there could be authenticity afterall.
However, things about Fab make me tilt towards my mind. Our No. 4 is extremely intelligent both on and off the field. He’d seen better players than himself depart Arsenal in a hurry and ended their hitherto guarranteed careers. He holds Arsene so highly and expresses unquantifiable loyalty. Above all, he doesn’t come any mould like a quitter. He’s captained this team 4 two seasons and nothing to show for it. Wouldn’t the Cesc I know prefer to have lifted a trophy with the armband to repay Wenger for such huge belief? Does he cut across as one who could make a statement today and turn around in a twinkle of an eye? Footballers can be anything these days but Fabregas certainly comes from a sterner cloud.
If Fab would ever leave this season then it could certainly be for just one unspoken but obvious reason – the EPL referees! Fab is the most fouled, or rather, kicked player in the Prem. Whereas the likes of Rooney, Heskey, Owen, Gerald, Lampard get protection, the mere fact Fab is Spaniard and plays for the only ‘French club’ in the Prem(Arsenal), refs let kicking opponents get away with murder! He’d seen Eduardo got whacked to bits. The Brazillian-born Croat never got back to the player he was. Diaby went through same horror. And just recently, Ramsey. In all these occasions, it could well have been Fab. And every year increases clubs’ viscious kicks at our players, every year the refs look further the other way. Somebody at Barca must have told him his legs could be broken next! And rather than witness that happen, I’d happily bid him bye and applaud him always even in a Barca shirt.
Holic
How could anyone of our vintage forget little Joe.
Or his partnership with Geoff Strong up front, the Aristocrat George Eastham pulling the strings behind them and big Alan Skirton rampaging down the wing.!!
We won sod all but by christ we had some fun doing it.
Plus the best right hook ever seen at Highbury and i don’t mean ‘Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee’that floored the man mountain Ron Yeats right in front of the dugout.!!
They don’t make them like little Joe anymore.
Badger Golden Champion, Steve? or Fullers London pride? or Wadworths 6X?
After that you may be on some fizzy shit under the sink 😉
Obviously the big IF is if this true or not and he wants to leave.
I just worry about the other IF in the whole thing.
If Barca think they have the upperhand with an unsettled player that is begging to come home so they can lowball their offer.
That IF can cause Cesc to go from leaving a well-loved player to someone who betrayed us (ie. we not only lost Cesc but got ripped off in the deal because he forced his way out)
Barca should just pony up a big deal (player or players we want/can use + cash) so everyone is pretty happy.
I have no idea if Cesc can request, tell that to Barca now that he has given them the lead by saying he is the only place he wants to go (eventually).
Great stuff, ‘Holic, can’t argue with a word of it.
I made the point in the drinks for previous post that my fear is that Cesc maybe wants to leave before he becomes the next victim to suffer a career threatening leg break, having already seen it happen to 3 of his team-mates. I know he is no softee, but he is human.
The worrying bit is that the latest quote from Sky Sports News – yes we do all know their impeccable past record – is that “it breaks my heart, but i have to leave”.
That, to me, suggests fear.
Fear that he could be the next victim of a wild challenge, or he is “afraid” that if he stays, Arsenal will not be in a position to challenge for the trophies he is desparate to win.
As i said in the previous post, i hope all the “quotes” turn out to be nothing of the sort – it wouldn’t be the first time after all – and that i have spent two chunks of time writing all this for absolutely nothing.
Got anything really strong, ‘holic? I need it after the day I’ve had, watching the hype machine go into overdrive and turn even the sanest people into rabid protesters, foaming at the mouth and listening to precisely no reason whatsoever.
At the end of the day, these rumours may or may not be true – the fact that we know Cesc will eventually go back means we cannot dismiss them. But the vitriol has been utterly depressing.
Steve T: This tell-me-who-Arsenal-is-buying meeting is an invented rumour from some BBB hack that is just resurfacing now.
As for Chamakh, here’s one of many articles about the recent declarations by Bordeaux’s president http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/54510/default.aspx
He was much more scathing at the end of last summer but I can’t find his statements anymore (on how Chamakh got his head turned).
Barca was despicable in the way they got hold of Hleb (and even more so considering what they had in mind for him) but for Cesc they don’t have anything to do. The entire country wants him back, every single interview he does in Spain is a minefield, every spanish football player and their mother declare their love for him etc. We got him for free in a manner that really pissed Barca off. I hate reading all this never-ending banter but he is fair game.
Anyway that Tuesday beer’s on me 😉
can see where you are coming from, but this seems different… seems like cesc really believed, like the rest of us, that this was going to be a big year for us, and that we would lift a major honour and would go on and do big things… i also feel he is as gutted as the rest of us at how the season has panned out, and if he did feel he could do more with a bigger team elsewhere, then who could blame him? i certainly wouldnt… what’ll make it much harder to swallow than the vieira and henry departures though, is that as good as cesc has been for us since being a 17 old teenager right up until this season, when he has been awe inspring at times, his best is still yet to come, of that there can be no doubt… before we could always fall back on the old adage “we let him go at the right time…” not so in the case no matter what way you look at it… of course arsenal will cope without cesc, but if we lose one of the best creative midfielders in europe we loose our heartbeat, our soul, one of the few players we have left who takes defeats as bad as we do, and who seems to embody everything that makes arsenal what it is, loosing cesc now, at this stage would be imo catastrophic for arsenal and their immeadiate future, as who in our current setup could step up and replace him, or contribute as he does… we need to do everything we can to keep cesc and add a few more quality players to our first team, so that keeping hold of our best players becomes less of an issue, because if the team is successful, there is less reason to want to leave… (this is of course completely ignoring the ronaldo situation with manure, because that was a ridiculous amount of money, and ronaldo had done everything he possibly could with utd)
anyway i digress… the point im trying to get across is, that this doesnt feel right, ive got this horrible feelin our captain is going to be sold this summer and i feel its too big a blow to come back from, we have very few world class players and loosing the best we’ve got is incocievable at the moment
6X with a Pride chaser please. That should do the trick.
I reckon Fabregas would want to lift a trophy for the Arsenal before leaving…
Matt. There are very few journalists I actually pay much attention to. Especially those in and around Spain. That report came from Graham Hunter. I have no idea if it is true, however he is one of the few that I do respect. Let’s be honest, it is a very strange thing to make up?
I do not buy the Chamakh thing. The Bordeaux boys will of course be bitter at seeing a class player leave for nothing. I am sure the president is not happy. But our bid was well known. He even responded to it in the press so how he can say the player had his head turned is beyond me.
You will have to explain how Cesc is fair game. Last time I looked he was our Captain with 4 years left on his contract????? I do not remember reading too many articles about how he was forced to sign such a deal.
I sincerely hope all of this blows over. Unfortunately I am not that confident that it will. Let’s hope that one day we start to generate so much dosh that we can go and tap up Barca players. Let’s see how they like it. Perhaps one day the roles will be reversed and they will become our feeder club????????
Please, please, please some GOOD Arsenal news soon, even if it’s all made up.
Steve, trouble is Barca and R Madrid negotiate their own TV deals individually and get about £120million each, while the other clubs get about £7million if they’re lucky.
That’s why the 3rd placed club in the league finished 28 points behind Barca.
Until that changes I can’t see how anyone will ever match their income – unless they do a Citeh, and let’s not go there.
Get real Bektas, he’s already waited 5 years (and we had a much better team 5 years ago).
He’s a Barca boy, they are the undisputed top club in the world right now and an opportunity has arisen for him to go there, whilst leaving us on good terms – not much anti-Cesc sentiment amongst Gooners is there? – and we will get shedloads of cash for him. Looks like we’ll also get a really good defender / defensive mid as part of the deal (Y Toure), something we have been crying out for.
Sure it’s a real shame it looks like Cesc is on his way but it’s not the end of the world….as long as we use the cash to bring in some suitable additions to the squad. I really think Cesc has just got fed up to the back teeth of us not keeping up with Man Utd and Chelsea, capitulating in virtually all our biggest games and the lack of investment in the team in recent times.
Anyone who is like me, a young Arsenal fan who wasn’t alive to watch Liam Brady kick a ball, really should go read “fever pitch” by Nick Hornby to truly understand what ‘holic has posted here.
The world did not cave in when Chippy was sold, on the contrary we won league titles not too long after. I wan’t Cesc to stay but we are not a long way removed from being competitive should he leave. Success still may not be as far away as some people think. We are the Arsenal.
It’s time that Cesc went back home to his real club. Cesc unlike Overmars and Petit was groomed in the Barca way and will fit in quite nicely, thank-you. Cesc unlike Petit, Hleb, Overmars and Henry, is Spanish, speaks the language, is a part of the culture, has family ties and has played with some of these kids in their youth program and others with the Spanish National team. He will play and will be at home with a whole team of players that play just like him.He will finally win trophies and often. He will bask in the Spanish sunshine and will not only be paid handsomely but will get to keep more of his money. So do you really think that he isn’t on his way out this summer. Gentlemen he is all but gone back home to the place from which Arsenal stole him. Ooops I’m sorry, Arsenal found a legal loophole and used it. It appears that the experiment will come crashing down.
I’m guessing you’re a Barcelona fan ? How can someone who’s seen his team enjoy soo much success in recent years still sound bitter and petty ?!
Steve T: I have absolutely no faith in Graham Hunter during transfer windows. If memory serves well he was adamant Gallas was as good as gone last summer. Anyway I’ve read the story long before Hunter came out with it, it’s totally unsubstantiated with no one else backing it up, for me it’s just part of the banter to get Cesc back in Spain and Hunter was just the messager.
As for Chamakh we made a lot of noise about our intentions for a very long time as soon as last season while we never intended to offer anything close to what Bordeaux would have accepted for the player and it really looked like we were trying to get Chamakh to raise hell so he could leave at discounted price. I certainly can understand why they were miffed.
Completely ignorant let the rest, but my suspicion (maybe more my hope) is that Barca feel that if they put a lot of pressure on this year then next year will be easier and then they will’ve only had to wait two years instead of four.
Whether or not that’s the case I think we should get Gourcouf (insert your choice here) and the worst outcome would be to have to manage a midfield with Cesc and Gourcouf in it.
…and richy sounds more of a sp*d, wind-up artist than a Barca fan.
let = like, sorry my bull-shit compensator (a very nice Zin) is impairing my keyboard — or its operator — or both
Ray in SF – We might actually have some competition from them next year, they must be loving it.
Matt – Where did you happen to read it ? I wish I could hibernate for the next two weeks and then wake up to find out what had happened, but the way I feel now I think I’d be too scared to find out.
Right now, its just too messy to talk about. And I feel the official website (which is run by a munch of borons) could do better than put up a Walcott and England world cup story.
I must have logged in atleast 20-30 times today to see some official statement on this but all I see is how Theo thinks this could be a big year for England.
For fucks sake!
Sajit, The Walcott/England World Cup Story must have been saved especially for a moment such as this to be the no comment to end all no comments. Frustrating I agree.
blah blah fuckin blah can’t believe this, same shit every year just wait for the real facts to appear gooners, let’s just stick to slagging off the spuds manure and the chavs in the off season
To Ray and Natural Mystic, I am neither a Spurs or Barca fan. Truth be told, I am a long time West Ham fan and have seen so many of our top players sold off to the richer clubs. Technically gifted players that have become some of the very best in England and all groomed at West Ham. But, I eventually matured and have accepted that this game that we refer to, is a business, BIG business. The business that was done in landing Fabergas was as clever as it was disgusting. Be that as it may, in the final analysis the system that football clubs operate under allowed it and consequently, it was just clever business done by Wenger and Co. But now that the lad wants to return to Barca after six years of very loyal and great service to Arsenal and Arsenal will be paid handsomely for it, I say good for Fabergas, good for Barca and yes, good for Arsenal. Why good for Arsenal you ask? Because the windfall from the deal will be significant, if only in short term financial gains. Who knows what the long term impact will bring, but again ITS JUST BUSINESS.
Saw the Headline and just wanna re assure you that I’m going nowhere Holic 🙂 To good a bar to ask for a transfer !!!
Cesc can’t leave yet, I just bought a shirt with his name on it not long ago and I don’t fancy buying another just yet.
Just looking at this business from another angle – Cesc leaving could be the best thing that could happen to Ramsey and Wilshere. Would still feel like 2 steps forward, 2 steps back to lose him though after this season.
I think I need to tie my knees together very tightly, they have been jerking way too much in the past month or so.
He might go, he might not. But the Arsenal will prevail no matter what.
Thanks lads,
I now know (because you say so) that
Cesc is definitely not leaving!
Cesc is definitely leaving!
He won’t go because he’s under contract!
If he goes, we’ll get a lot for him!
I hear that those who left before him
Won nothing,
Won everything.
I think I’ll wait and see, thanks again.
The only way this story can be discounted is for young master Fabregas and Arsenal FC to make a statement to the contrary – the fact that this hasn’t happened suggests to me that there is mileage in it, given the way this story is gathering pace.
If he does go – we must ensure that they pay top dollar as well – he will go with my best wishes for the future. Arsene Wenger could be in for his most difficult period as Arsenal manager over this close season and into the beginning of next.
Good afternoon Holics,
Top article as per Holic standard always…!
I don’t think Cesc will leave this summer there are other stories on the net doing the round arounds one of them from Sky Sports.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6162304,00.html
Clearly Cesc could be flying into London for anything, he lives here for christ sake maybe he needs to sort other things apart from football who knows maybe it doesn’t mean he came to talk to Wenger etc. Is Wenger currently in the UK? Can anyone confirm that too? All we have is questions and I reckon it would be nice for Arsenal.com to confirm something.
It’s seems rather unreal for a player who has been confirming his future to the club suddenly leave in the summer, how many times throughout the season we heard he’s leaving us? Only to be corrected by Maestro himself that he’s staying put and he is going no where!
I would be rather angry if he decides to leave now, like Steve T pointed out above, and I have three reasons why I would feel that way.
1) Each time a roumor has surfaced he denied it straight away.
2) Arsene Wenger is still in charge and they seem to have a very special relationship.
3) His far too intelligent to just walk out like that and is a man of principles.
Finally I believe he will not be first choice at Barca Xavi and Iniesta are in the way first and they seem to be in a pretty good shape for now.
Thanks for the link Arthur.
That really just confirms that we have the stronger hand given the length of his contract. As has been proven with other players, contracts mean nothing if the player himself has decided its time to move on.
As for your last comment, Xavi and Iniesta would not be a blocker to Fabregas signing – Cesc would fancy winning a place in the team on merit. Iniesta seems to have had his share of injuries too.
Barca must have used a lot of their transfer funds with the Villa signing though, so that probably works in our favour, to an extent.
Just one more year – enough to bring on Jack and Rambo…. then, Dear Cesc you may leave with my permission and thanks!
There. That should sort it!
PS. Papers over here aren’t being overconfident about him coming. Not the same decisive stuff as there was (correctly) about Villa.
I reckon they’re paving the way for next year, as well as fluffing up their fans.
I hope.
Catalan, if you see Laporta or any of the other suits, give him (them) a kick in the nuts from me!
Barcelona – Great football team, no class off the park.
Afternoon Holic & Holic`s
Is anyone else getting sick and tired of Barca circling like vultures every couple of years for our players. overmars,petit,Henry and Helb as i think it has been pointed out by more than one holic over the last couple of days all have had regrets about the move.
You could argue Cesc is spanish and he was born in Barca and that dose make a difference but I do believe that it would be a mistake at this moment.
The rumor mill states a offer of £30m has been offered. £30m they have to be fucking joking. It sounds like a good deposit but they would want to really think about that offer. I do hope they get told stick it up your arse and go and haunt another club for their players. we will see ?
The other rumor is that yaya will be part of the deal, I hope not as this same player last season said he has no interest in going to Arsenal. Then this season found him on the bench for the most part as he was mainly replaced by rich tea or bisquets or how ever you spell his name. Now he is making noises of yes I would be interested in joining Arsenal regardless of the Cesc situation. Fuck off you mercenary bastard and rot on the Barca bench.
In summary Cesc to stay and AW to buy some players that will match the ambitions of the fans and Cesc. Fingers crossed.
Zico
I actually treat a friend of his. Should he ever make the mistake of finding himself on my couch he will regret it instantly!
Joking, of course. Ahem….
To be honest the Player i was most sad about leaving when it happened was good old RockyRIP not just for his footballing abilities but for his absolute love of The Arsenal and what it represented added to the way he conducted himself on and off the field as such a gentleman.
And when i think back to all that, The thought of cesc leaving or the loss of Henry in fact any player dosent seem to matter as much,
To many players are detached from the clubs they represent and have egos way above their stations but every so often one comes along that is a true star in every sense and will always hold a place in our hearts lets hope theres another rocky in the many many talented kids coming through the Academy,
And on that note ill raise a Becks to a true Arsenal Legend,
Thinking back to Rocky leaving – was that just down to a personality clash with Graham? I’ve never fully understood that one?
Guillem Balague started it all when he wrote it in AS. AS being the prime Spanish shit-stirrers. The same can be said for Balague.
Catalan,
No mate dont think so Graham said it was the Hardest thing he ever had to do,
The club knew his Knee injury would only get worse and decided to cash in as he was still in quite High Demand Rocky would have played for Nowt at Arsenal but the Transfer fee was to be used on a new system incorporating new players and that would help pay for them,
Paul Davis done a stadium tour i was on and was asked about the day he left and pretty much every player had tears in their eyes as he was loved that much, It wasnt just Arsenal players and Fans that held him in such high regard it was his fellow pros too I remember reading an article by Chris Waddle i think who praised Rocky as a man to the Sky,He was just one humble Human being that realised he was lucky to have a gift and every day made the most of it, I Hate Tottenham with a passion but will always be thankful for the minutes silence they gave him the day he died,
Hate Tottenham with a passion but will always be thankful for the minutes silence they gave him the day he died,
This too chippy. Weepy few moments that was, next to them in the West Lower. Credit where credit is due.
Holic, Indeed mate I was in the clock that day and I’ve never seen so many grizzlies with tears in their eyes, The total shock and sadness was something else and as you say credit where it’s due they observed it immaculately I think even they realised Rocky was one of footballs good guys Id expect some even knew him what with him being a lewisham lad, Ive always said Pires scoring that day in his shirt was his parting gift lol Saying that the tears started again then! Hopefully one of his lads will one day play in front of The Arsenal Crowd,
Chippy – thanks for the diversion. Rocky was who you wanted to be in that heady Arsenal team. What a fucking team – homegrown to boot! Didn’t we play France once? And then we went to South America for some tournament where they tried to kick and cheat their way past us, but not that team – they just got stuck in! Our current team should take a little stroll down memory lane.
To be fair I don’t see a problem with Cesc leaving. Sure enough he is an exceptional player but with a bit of tweaking the tactics his loss could be easily compensated. Just think of a 4-2-2-2 incorporating diaby/song behind rosicky/nasri centrally and a strike partnership of rvp/arsh and bendtner/chamakh. I don’t think our squad leaves us in dire need of getting a replacement for Cesc rather than a rethink in formation. I say spend the cash if (big IF) Cesc goes on defensive players and a proper GK and the loss should only be marginal. Just my take though…
Grey matter fading a bit – we played France beat them 2-0 (Cantona played for them).
The line-up read: Lukic, Dixon, Winterburn, Thomas, O’Leary (Bould), Adams, Richardson, Smith (Quinn), Merson, Marwood (Hayes).
AFC74,
No probs mate, Thats the thing when you think back to Rocky it’s pretty much all good memorys !! They were happy days indeed and your right that was a properly balanced team it had flair and goals but it could also battle and put the boot in if needed, Thats the problem with today’s side it’s just not quite balanced,
Think we played France twice once at Wembley think smith scored and one at Highbury but I may well be wrong the grey matters not what it was lol I do remember one of the games was absolutley freezing,
Think the Argentinain club side was independa or similar and yes it kicked of all over the park 1-0 wasn’t it, The scary thing is this was 20 years ago now don’t time fly 🙂
Your right everyone wanted to be Rocky,, Should have added earlier when skimming past Paul Davis comments to us, Im quick to critisize the club but as long as people like him are still working there that is good thing the man was a Gentleman that day and had somf funny stories, He was also a fine player was just playing In an era two early he’d be great in the current side, He also had a fearsome right hook as cockerill will testify to :))))
I’ve always been forever the optimist so naturally (blindly some might say) don’t see the problem, should Cesc decide to leave. I also wonder if any decision that Cesc *may* have [now] made, could be the end result of a conversation with the boss that happened 12 months ago?!
Anyhow, in many ways, I feel the benefits of Cesc leaving could – I stress *could* – far outweigh the disadvantage/s, for the following reasons….
A. The management might finally be forced into seriously reacting in the transfer market for decent replacements (bearing in mind they now have the added challenge of putting bums on seats at AG). Yes, I know there has been plenty of false dawns but this time I think the, shall we say, ‘environmental’ factors makes it a tad more interesting.
B. It just might be the filip needed throughout the rest of the squad to play to their full potential, i.e., raise their game.
C. We’ll get a shed load of money from the deal (will probably be our most profitable deal ever – which is no bad thing).
D. I like the sound of a midfield with Arshavin as more of a playmaker (as he was at Zenit), flanked by say Yaya Toure, with Chamakh and RVP up front. There are more than enough from our existing squad for the left and right midfield position.
E. Money in the bank for a decent GK, and 1 or 2 CD’s and we’ll be up and running.
F. Iirc, and I think I do, in times gone by when Cesc has been injured, we’ve continued to win games and grind results.
You see…..easy as that ‘holic.
Now I’m feeling thirsty for a nice bottle of smooth red. Yeah why not, a bit of that Pino Noir please barman?
Now that the Cesc scaremongering is abating it’s time for a quick reminder of the reality that’s catching up with our competitors:
– Man United’s debt is rising with £75m piled on top of their existing £716m debt (in August) thanks to interest rates of 16,25% on their last loan.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1279598/Interest-rate-rises-Old-Trafford-Manchester-United-fans-fear-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-money-spend-summer.html
– Chelski owes £726m to their oligarch
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/19/roman-abramovich-chelsea-loan-debt
– Liverpool debt is actuallly higher than thought at £472m after a disastrous 2009 financial year with £55m in losses (it ended in July 2009, I’ll leave it to you guess the improvements in 2010…)
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/134338/Liverpool-s-debt-hits-472m/
– Spurs are also being taken care of by Twitchy doing what he does best.
More Rocky stories please! Have only watched clips and read about him.
What this team could do with one like him right now.
Nice one your lordship. A touch of “Perspective” me thinks and a great comparison to the Chippy saga.
Sajit,
Look up the site Rocky7 it was set up in his memory and has some very nice stories from friends and family, Also there are some wonderful tributes on YouTube they always bring a smile and a tear ! Id just say that many people are to easily classed as heroes and legends at a club but in his case it was thouroghly deserved, As 74 said earlier every Arsenal fan young or old black or White old timer or new boy he was everyones favourite, He had the skills of a Brazillian but the heart of Mclintock,
Im pretty sure I would have seen every Rocky video on youtube. Is it true that one of the reasons Graham shunted him out of the club was because of his involvement in the brawl with Man Utd (91 was it?)?
Totally agree Chippy, there seems to be an abuse of the word legend these days.
In the current team , the only one who classifies into the legend category is Cesc.
I thought it was because if Rocky’s knee being fucked
Come on guys lets stay positive on Cesc here.
I just wonder if this is the first wave or will there be another one or just well he goes and that will be it.
So I suppose we have still time till the Worl Cup starts…
I don’t remeber much of Rocky as Sajit well being a foreigner and all that but I did get some old school clips to remind me what he was like. Big loss and even bigger loss when passed away, enough said!
Holic any news from the Grape Vine?
Barman something with time travel to see what Rocky was like in those days please….hope I’m not asking for too much?
It has to be said ‘holic, after this piece last night and some good work by the quality blogs this morning the hacks who were screaming about a done deal have now realised that the clubs have to agree a fee, and the Barcacunts have to find the money.
Well done old son.
*F5s*
Just a thought…Barca didn’t win the biggest trophy of them all this season. Doesn’t an improved Arsenal team with Cesc (based on the right additions this Summer) have almost as much of a chance to win it next season as Barca? Am I just clutching at straws.
While I hope he stays – the saddest loss would be his age (I hoped he’d remain til 26 or 27) and the fact that he hasn’t won the league with us yet. If any Arsenal player merits a title winning moment it’s got to be Cesc.
****
David Rocastle – I can’t say enough about him. A wonderful blend of talent, technique, endless effort and endurance. At his best he could control a game and had no measurable weakness on a pitch. A complete gentleman who should truly had worn the England shirt consistently at his peak. Off the field – met him once – lovely articulate man with the passion of a kid when we discussed how it felt playing for Arsenal. He was born just 90 days before me – watched him grow up and make it into the first team at just 18 years age – when your favourite player (as he quickly became for me) is the same age as you are standing on the North Bank it cements being a fan (whatever that is). Rocastle was sold to Leeds and left London in the Summer of 1992, two summers later I left London too…Rocky was the cornerstone of my favourite time following Arsenal. I can imagine Fabregas has the same hold over younger supporters who go today – he’s an amazing player.
Heh! No need Jackster. Maybe something frivolous tomorrow night. I really cannot abide this speculation. It serves little purpose.
Thanks old. There is a long way to go between Cesc saying that he now wants to go home, and the deal being done. Woe betide Barca if, having persuaded him to roll over and have his tummy tickled, they now fail to seal the deal to re-home him.
Arsenal hold the aces. Fifty million euros, or explain to your old boy why you don’t value him that highly, cuntos.
he’s going this time I’m afraid, and I don’t blame him. we’re the most profitable club in the country yet the poor lad has to play alongside gutless fannydancers like diaby and denilson. having to watch those matches against wigan and blackburn must have made his mind up for him. he’s off to a team with real cojones and it’s time for us to rediscover ours.
blimey, ‘holic. So many regulars. Nice atmosphere too, as always
😉
I think I’ll have a whisky and soda, for a change
Soda…
Mmmm,
Ah, here’s a syphon. May be a tad off by now 😉
Holic for god sake……….
Soada urrrhhg….nice mate drink ot yourself!
Come on guys I could not ressist this one:
Is Csec a goner?……………….Or a Gooner?
It really is up to Barca, Arthur. Pay what he is worth, or take a hike.
This £30m speculation is nonsense. Say what you will about Wenger, but nobody can deny that his record of selling for maximum value is rather strong, and there’s no way he’s giving Barcelona a “discount” on the most promising young midfielder in the world simply because he was once in their youth program.
I’m quite sad at the thought of him leaving, it’s terribly disappointing, but we’ll survive. It’d be nice if he could wait one more year, so we could give Ramsey some time to see if he can inherit that position, but that doesn’t look to be the case. Still, nothing’s been done yet, we’ll just have to wait and see. It’s going to be a rough few days, but when push comes to shove, I still trust Wenger’s judgment about what’s best for the club.
All that said, this is gutting, physically sickening to think about. I didn’t believe it would actually happen this summer. Hopefully it doesn’t. Ugh.
Chins up, boys. No matter what, we still love the Arsenal, the world’s greatest club.
Holic I have had too many drinks tonight to comment on your follow up, however I think we boys have a good tender of stuff in our souls especially when you have been half raised in UK to think ab out stuff like that. It depends where Cesc’s heart is… don’t get me wrong but I do think he’s already a bit of a north London person!
Chat more tomorow too, many things on me head….
Plaudits to ‘holic for discouraging the transfer speculation no matter how much easier it would be to write the summertime blog if it were centered around said topic. He must be getting ready for one of those historical pieces?
the site of Cesc lifting his next trophy in another uniform would almost make me cry. I agree that maybe he’ll give one more hoorah and not let his time at Arsenal go without another trophy
Don’t go Cesc, still to young to go, you can go after your age 30’s
Morning Holics
Suprise suprise no hangover today, must of been that Polish vodka last night 🙂
Have not really had a good look on the news front regarding Cesc but hey no news is good news to me!
100th!
Cheers ‘holic
You haven’t quite got the hang of those big red numbers at the side, have you Hazza 😉
Hi Holic
I Love ur posts,
Ur Posts/blog are among the top2 blogs for me 🙂
I feel Cesc may not be going this year,and the positive thing from this scary saga which is ongoing is,that wenger has woken up,
and will have this year`s season(10/11) to prepare for transfer of Cesc for the 2011/12 season…as like ronaldo he may well be off NEXT season.
i guess wenger Knows this,and hopefully wenger puts in some plan/idea in this new season to start to that we dont in next season(11/12),the loss of fabregas…
thats one positive though..
i guess wenger Knows this,and hopefully wenger puts in some plan/idea in this new season,**so that we dont suffer in next season(11/12),the loss of fabregas…
thats one positive though..
Chicago @ 98.
“Uniform”? I hope that was tongue in cheek.
You’ll be referring to the EPL next. 😉
Can I just say that I think people are getting the wrong end of the stick with all the Fabregas stuff. In my opinion there is a far bigger picture that needs to be looked at. There is no doubt that all sorts of garbage has been spouted by the written press and the media as a whole. The actual facts are very confusing to say the least.
So what can we actually believe? Not a great deal I would suggest. I have no doubt that some is true where as the vast majority is speculation and guess work.
The first question for me is where does Cesc want to be? In my opinion he will return to Spain one day. When that will be who knows? What I do find strange is that someone who went to so much trouble last season so state how happy he was here and how he was staying should suddenly change his mind? I know that has not been confirmed by anyone credible but my view is that it was such a strong statement that if not true, there would have been some form of denial by now.
So the next question is why does he want to leave? Is this now his time? Has he decided that after 7 years the time is right for him to move back home? His English adventure is over? If that IS the case then good luck to him.
If however the truth is that he is not confident that the squad is strong enough and that the required new signings are not planned, then I think that opens up a whole new can of worms and is a sad indictment on our club. It leaves massive issues that need addressing. What is the ambition of the club for starters? Yet again the silent approach from the club leaves us all very frustrated. The media and PR wing from Arsenal has gone very much down hill in recent years. Funny, but for the first time I actually miss David Dien. I wonder how much he is really missed at the club, and possibly by Wenger?
I am possibly one of the few that actually think that Cesc does owe something to the club. He has been brought to England and nurtured. He has been given his chance at a very young age. Wenger and the club have shown faith in him. He has developed into the player he is because of the club and the way he has been treated. He was given his chance in the team and we sold Vieira to allow him to take over his position. A decision that many questioned at the time. No one can tell me that he would have got anywhere near the opportunities at Barca. He is unlikely to make their starting 11 now if all are fit. The likely scenario if he had stayed at Barca I would suggest is that at about 19/20 he would have moved on as he was not getting regular football. I know Cesc had many years in the Barca youth system but do not underestimate the huge part that Wenger and Arsenal have played in developing his talent.
Time now just to watch and wait I guess. But I do feel this is an unnecessary distraction. The club should be concentrating on bringing in the players needed for next season and holding on to those already in the squad. Not having to deal with all of this.
Steve T,
“The club should be concentrating on bringing in the players needed for next season and holding on to those already in the squad. Not having to deal with all of this.”
Unfortunately, as long as the Spanish press do Barca’s dirty work for them, we are going to have to continue to put up with this. Either Cesc isn’t aware of the shitstorm this has caused OR he is, and the fact that he isn’t denying it means that he is now ambivalent at best regarding staying at the club. If the former, why is that, since he has always been quick to put in a disclaimer in the past?
I totally agree with you on the media side of the club though, its pretty hopeless.
Zico.
The question Why was exactly my point. Why has this happened and what has caused it? I think that is far more of a problem than the loss of Fab.
It also raises various questions about next year. If Fab stays do we start the season with someone who for all intent and purposes wants to leave the club, as our Captain?
This has opened one massive can of worms and needs to be dealt with quickly. If we are to sell him then my view is tell Barca the price and that they have a week to agree the fee. If they don’t then end of and we all move on. But it needs a firm response. It needs someone to actually deal with the situation before it escalates.
A lot of this is media speculation, but it is all getting very damaging. The general silence from both player and club just assists the escalation of damage.
Steve T,
we are at the same place.
The club need to stop pissing about.
Steve T: I can’t disagree more strongly with you. Arsenal obviously has learned from the Hleb and Flamini treasons. I find it odd that you come out to criticize the club just now when it is obvious that the efforts made in the last 2 years to sign all the players on binding long-term contracts are working as they should: Cesc will go when Arsenal is ready to let him go at a price that Arsenal deems satisfying. So while the BBB was as usual deriding the “new signings”, Arsenal has secured the future of the team against the dinosaurs (the clubs that will fade sooner than later under the weight of their astronomical debt).
Then Arsene himself is showing he’s learnt too by keeping mum about it and telling PHW to shut up. There’s nothing to gain with a public escalation, we’ve seen it with Hleb it actually plays in the hands of the player who wants to leave because at some point the club is bound to say something it shouldn’t have and the player can then use it to justify his desire to leave.
In the end either Cesc stays or we get an outrageous sum of money for him and we’re pursuing the optimal strategy to achieve either one of these objectives. The one thing we do not have control over is the schedule. If Cesc and/or Barca want to have this play over the entire summer there’s nothing we can do other than be patient and keep our trump cards close to our chest.
We all wish none of this happened but that is not in our hands. But so far the way we deal with it really shows we’re in control, a welcome feeling after the bleeding summer two seasons ago.
Then Zico is right: everyone wants Cesc back at Barca: Laporta wants to end on a high note, the presidential hopefuls to gain some votes, his former teammates at Barca, the fans, the Catalan people since he is one of them and the Spanish people at large.
If you read Marca and AS from time to time you would see that Barca has nothing to do. Every week there has been an article on when Cesc will come back, why it would be such a great thing, how they are entitled to his return etc. If you watch the videos of Cesc interviews on you’ll see how it’s a minefield every single time. For example when you read headlines like “Fabregas wants to play for Barca” it’s because at the end of an intense interview where Cesc kept saying how he likes it at Arsenal, he was asked “ok but if one day you were to leave Arsenal, would it be to go for Barca” and he said yes, that’s when the storm started.
Ronaldo was under very little pressure to go to RM, it was mostly his own desire whereas Cesc is under enormous pressure.
Funnily enough, the only one who does not seem overly motivated to attract Cesc is Pep Guardiola…
Spot on people Zico, Steve T and Matt
Some very good and interesting points raised there chaps a very good read indeed.
Agree with Stevie T, Cesc owes some sort of loyalty to Arsenal and Arsene for that matter it would really make him look a bit silly if season just gone each time something was misquoted he came out and correted things up. Not sure why this was not done this time but it does make you feel rather curious.
Nothing we can do for the time being let’s wait and see what happens, I don’t want him to leave but if his heart won’t be here next season I would let him go now and Arsene needs to rethink his transfer targets.
I have gut feeling he will stay but deep down I have my little doubts, we have to admit though that this was really blown out of proportion and our club needs to show that they are on top of things.
The really funny thing is that this makes the headlines and probably Torres, Ribery or whoever big name wil take over. But at the same time there has been a very interesting string of news about the finances of the big clubs, most of them eerily reminiscent of Greece. The Guardian has come up with staggering figures for the Premiership and la Liga, in short:
– Liverpool are definitively bust. We’re talking Leeds/Newcastle.
– United have no money to buy players and still will be accruing more debt this season. The interest rates on their lowns are bewildering.
– Chelski will buy sparsingly, likely one star player and try to last one more year with their 30-somethings.
– Barca and RM have similar levels of debt (400 and 600 mils respectively) and are totally incapable of balancing their budgets (RM sells less shirts than Liverpool and … Chelski!)
– All next tier of La Liga teams (Valencia, Atletico, Sevilla…) are bleeding money like there is no tomorrow.
I’ll leave it to Holic to blog about it but we’re witnessing a deep transformation of the football landscape in Europe, the time is coming when many of these clubs become feeders for us.
Arthur: My point is that the restraint shown by Arsenal is the proof that the club is on top of things. It would be totally against our interest to fuel a protracted war of words like we did 2 season ago. The last thing we want would be to burn the bridge with Cesc.
As for the loyalty, I see Steve’s point but then there’s so much pressure on Cesc from Spain…
£30-40million, personally I’d hold out for much more cos if it has to happen we need to make sure we get the best deal possible, why would either Barca or for that matter Cese be in the driving seat. Because we all know Barca will NOT be the only team bidding (if it comes to it) so the price will only go up…..
I hate to admit it but I actually agree for once with Hill-Wood I’m @ a loss to understand how a club can afford to pay that amount of money for a player that will not be first pick on the team sheet for another couple of years to come?
Matt. First things first. What is ‘BBB’? I never get that. Feel I must ask now as I am bored trying to figure it out. Or just not that bright?
You make a lot of valid points as normal but if you think Cesc goes when we decide he goes then sadly you are in dreamland. If Cesc decides he wants to leave then he will leave. We will not keep a player who does not want to be here. I agree re signing a lot of players on long contracts but again, at the end of the day we all know they are not worth the paper they are printed on when it comes to keeping a player. All they do is increase the bargaining level. I hate all of that but sadly that is now part of the game.
I get totally what you say about the debts of other clubs. I fully understand all of that. I also do not want to have a knee jerk reaction and just buy buy buy. But the squad needs strengthening. Our net dealings over the last 3 years in the transfer market leave us 22 million in the black. The board are proud to announce that we are the third richest club in the world. So why have we not made the minor adjustments to address the obvious weaknesses? Has this lack of investment actually acted as a catalyst with regards to cesc asking to leave? Who knows? But if that is the reason then I for one am pissed off about it.
Reports suggest that we have reduced our debts from 600 million to 175 million in 5 years. Very impressive.But we have to get the balance right. Cesc will have been fully aware of the clubs plans. The whole side has been built around him. He was given an 8 year contract as he was seen as the future. So what has changed? That is my point.
No one knows what the future holds but a short sharp statement from the club saying that he is under contract and going nowhere will not only put minds at rest but it will put the whole thing to bed and be seen as a statement of intent. Is that too much to ask???????
I am not really bothered if all of the other clubs mentioned go to the wall. I am only concerned about The Arsenal. Personally I wish all clubs would take a firmer stance over players. Players and their agents seem to hold all of the aces these days. Perhaps bringing a few back into line is just the game needs?
Assuming Cesc has been quoted correctly, why does he “need his future sorted out before the World Cup”?
He’s under contract for another 4 years yet he is suggesting that there is something to sort out – so does he want ANOTHER pay rise or does he want to go to Barcelona?
This is different from his usual disclaimers and therefore the subsequent silence from both club and player is fuelling the story.
He probably has as long to run on his contract at the club as anyone does?
For what it’s worth I’m more of the opinion that Arsenal do not owe ANYONE in the media ANY explanations at all. Plus, I’ve always liked the fact that we [tend to] try to do our business behind closed doors rather than washing our dirty linen in public.
Cesc has always repeatedly denied any rumours that he is going to Barcelona (or anyone else for that matter) so it is a matter for him and him alone to comment on this recent wave of speculation. However as far as the club is concerned, he is an Arsenal player under contract for another 4 years.
Apparently Barca have not even tabled a bid, so to what is Arsenal obligated to respond? A few (for now) ficticious newspaper reports? I don’t see why they should. Not forgetting any such response would no doubt be twisted and contorted to suit whatever is the agenda chosen by those to whom it is addressed.
No, let them carry on with their mischief. Meanwhile, for us, it should continue as business as usual!