Welcome Chamakh, Our Starter For How Many, Do You Think?
May 21st, 2010 by 'holic
It won’t be a secret to a number of you that I have watched a fair bit of Bordeaux over the last couple of seasons. A good friend I meet at a lot of Arsenal games travels over from Paris, and follows Les Girondins as a second team. Hence, I watch them as often as possible so as not to appear ignorant when we chat.
There is no question they have a player or two that will have interested us in that time, and I am absolutely thrilled that finally the signing of Marouane Chamakh has been confirmed. The benefit of hindsight is a wonderful ally, and some might justifiably claim that we might have gone a bit further to meet his club’s valuation last summer, rather than wait to snap him up on a ‘Bosman’ free now.
The numbers didn’t add up, though, as Bordeaux allegedly sought double what Arsenal were prepared to pay for a player with just twelve months left to run on his contract. Who could have predicted then that we would lose an entire squad of forwards for much of the season?
I am aware that there are the sceptics who look at his strike rate in isolation, and ignore the fact that we have signed an improving all-round forward who is strong in the air but contributes more with his all-round link-up play. My friend will not forgive me for suggesting he should get even more opportunities to add to his goalscoring reputation in the Arsenal set-up, but I believe that is likely. I also reckon we have got ourselves a proper footballer.
There has been some speculation that to accommodate two, or indeed all three, of Chamakh, van Persie, and Bendtner, we may need to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, and certainly that option is very much open to us. However, Chamakh has the ability, shared by van Persie, to look just as comfortable out wide as in the centre, and I could easily visualise them interchanging in a continuation of the 4-3-3.
Chamakh is one of the players who could have made a real difference in the campaign just ended, and I won’t pretend that we don’t need more acquisitions yet, but it is really good to see the first sign of intent, the first capture of what could and should be a busy summer for Arsenal’s negotiators.
For now though, all such speculation is as pointless as that surrounding the man who may or may not be Chamakh’s skipper next season. Still, enough of Manuel Almunia for now. I need another Guinness.
Have a great weekend ‘holics.
97 Responses to “Welcome Chamakh, Our Starter For How Many, Do You Think?”
Delighted with this. A top goalie and centre-back now, please, Arsene.
Number 2!!!
Agree ‘holic – great signing, such a surprise too!
Now to go ahead and get the rest of the players that match Cesc’s ambitions.
Good down to earth article Holic, how do you do it my man?
He is definitely a very good addition like you say he can play anywhere up front and the boy has pace as well.
On to the next ones please Le Boss… π
I’ll have a Guinness as well barman please
I would like to see a goalkeeper now but what do you think about what D.Seaman said that almunia is a good goalkeeper and we do not need to improve on that area ?
So I know Triaud is already peeved at us so why don’t we try to sign Ciani while we’re at it. I mean it’s not like he can get madder right and Ciani is without a doubt a very solid defender. He might even be the defender that solves the Drogba puzzle for Arsene.
I’m sure he’d cost less than 16M M’bia at least and with the same effect in defense.
Great to hear such positive impressions of Chamakh from one who has watched him semi-regularly. This has the feeling of a very important signing for the club, and puts me in a celebratory mood. Lord knows we need to have a party about now. Guinness all around barman!
Good call WC, but I don’t think the bank of Bordeaux will welcome us any more. Watch for Tremoulinas if he goes to the other end of Seven Sisters. Good full-back. I love Fernando, injury prone and not quick enough for Arsenal, but a good footballer nonetheless. Hope Gourcuff stays there, but it looks unlikely.
Hopefully he’s at the front of a queue of a goal keeper, two central defenders and a holding midfielder to hand back their newly signed contracts…still a step in the right direction..
To the tune of Wrighty’s chant:
“Marouane Cha-makh-makh-makh”
One for the road please..
Great news indeed, the lad is worth much more than his goal tally would let you believe and we all know how good Arsene is at getting the best from the players.
It’s was coming but it’s nice to have our forward line sorted out.
I’d rather us get M’bia than Ciani (or both if Gallas leaves) as he can also play as a backup DM for Song when needed.
4-4-2 is a viable option, I think I’d like it even more if we did not adopt the same formation for the entire season, instead giving ourselves the luxury to switch to what’s best suited for a given opposition.
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I see what you did there…
Just the one
Can’t really see Bendtner being a starter next season, surely Robin vanPersie, Arshavin and Chamakh would be the three starting fowards? I think we’ll bring in one centre-back and that’ll be it unfortunately. Wenger has faith in Almunia and is confident that Fabianski will be top class….stubborn or genious?
Do you think Gourcuff would be totally out of the realms of possibility?
I Think We Should Still Go For The 4-3-3 it is a good formation and suits us well, van persie should play where walcott does and chamakh in the middle, with arshavin on the otherside. then van persie can cut inside defenders then cross/shoot on his famous left foot. (y)
The 4-3-3 worked in the first few months but the tempo dropped leaving the defence exposed a lot. It’ll definitely be interesting to see how we
line-up in early pre season.
dannyboy, yes I do. I had this discussion elsewhere today, and my Girondins-supporting mate agreed with me. Gourcuff is a proper footballer, but is too slow in thought and execution for the way Arsenal play at their best. That sounds terrible, but it isn’t meant to. The older Gooners will understand me when I say he is an Eastham, not a Fabregas.
enjoy ua guiness
Excellent signing is Chamakh. In many ways a typical Wenger signing….in other ways not. Be interesting to see how he adapts to the pressures of the prem. I’m particularly excited to see hoe the rest f the team adapts to his all round strengths. Great in the air. strong on the ball. Has pace. Can really hit the ball too. RVP should play of him beautifully….as they both have the capability to ‘assist’ each other.
1 GK (which I doubt tbh) plus two central defenders please Mr Wenger.
Keep on believing π
in the line up that started the season you want chamahk to play on the right instead of bendtner. Definetly leave RVP in centre. You want RVP involved as much as possible and we haven’t even seen his best in that position. Course chamahk or bendtner can play centre if RVP injured
I think them being able to interchange, as ‘holic said, will be key. I’m personally excited about just seeing a new face. I’ll take any positives we can get right now!
I think the 4-3-3 works but it will only work in Bendtner, RVP and Chamakh play up front. This is the reason why – all 3 strikers defend from the front. Sure RVP’s tackling ability is on par with Paul Scholes and sure Bendtner has a terrible firs touch but the reason Barca’s 4-3-3 works is because the forwards close down defense and midfield. Eto’, Henry and Messi had the most fouls of the team in their treble winning season and we need that/ Chamakh, Bendtner and RVP work very hard but Arsahvin is lazy. I know Arshavin is a bit of a genius on the ball on his day but he can’t lounge around and wait for the other 10 men to do the work for him.
Wenger needs to train Arshavin hard to run like a well oiled machine because he looks sluggish and uninterested in tracking back. I know he prefers 4-4-2 but if he wants in on the 4-3-3 then he has to cover more ground.
Also Goonerholic, I like Tremoulinas but Vermaelen already has that role, we need a defender built like a Sol Campbell to bully some of the tough strikers like Rooney, Torres and Drogba. Tremoulinas is more of the brain in defense but we need more of a brawn.
Very p;rased to hear something positive come out of the club after the last few days. Must confess to knowing very little about the lad apart from the snips I caught last season. What I did see was someone who appears to be a good team player. I feel that he will have a lot to offer and give us vital options. Don’t agree with those that think Bendtner will not get as much of a game. I think with the 3 of them, plus the likes of Theo and Arshavin that we will be very strong up front.
Just the captain and the rest to sort out now.
Great bar b weather holics. Enjoy.
Keep the faith.
Very pleased even…………..
A good signing. If we can get around 50m for cesc(Nasri can get better in the centre of the park)then we have funds for a world class GK,A couple of decent centre half’s,a holding midfield player,Then we can kick on! Oh,and by the way get Eden Hazard while we’re at it!
I’d love to see Van Persie Bendtner Chamakh upfront. Even if its only in a couple of games.
Matt’s idea is great. At times we looked helpless trying to break through defences or trying to defend ourselves and should have adopted a different style of play to that particular opponent.
About Chamakh – He’s great, he’ll add a very much welcomed depth in the squad cause next year we’re gonna have 25 injuries (who knows, maybe the GPS will save us π ).
We desperately need a keeper, was watching the season review today and it reminded me how awful Almunia is at everything which isn’t shot stopping.
Akinfeev has stated he’s looking for a new challenge and I’ll be more than happy if he finds it here.
Apart from that – a good CB to partner TV and a backup for Song as Denilson doesn’t cut it and we’re good to go.
I see Chelsea having difficulties adjusting to this new rule, we just need to strengthen our weak links and we’re right in there.
Chamakh my bitch up…
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
‘holic
Great post…you’ve seen far more of him than me (limited to perhaps 3 games in the last 12 months)
Does he track back? Are both feet good? Does he look for the ball or drift around? Does he like to get in where it can hurt (I’ve seen him throw himself around a lot)? Does he have the ability to run at a fullback and turn him? I may have been lucky to catch him playing well but he seemed to be the focal point of their play and linked things excellently almost a tall ronaldo looking Bergkamp style to his quick passing and ability to find gaps.
Your opinions (and others) are most welcome
FUCK CESC THIS IS ARSENAL,IF HE WANTS TO GO FUCK HIM,,LET HIM GO,IL FOLLOW THE GUNNERS IN LEAGUE 2 IF NEED BE,MORE OF RAMBO THATS WHAT IM THINKING,HE IS REALLY VERY FUCKIN GOOD,HE SUPRISED ME THIS YEAR BIG TIME,THIS GUY HAS THE BALLS TO BE WAY MORE THAN CESC EVER WAS AT ARSENAL,(WHAT DID CESC WIN AGAIN)YA DATS WHAT I SAID,FUCK CESC
Good news at last! Good to see Chamakh arrive – now PLEASE a proper goalkeeper.
An article by Amy Lawrence, some time ago now, referred to a game at the old Wembley, in which she saw our goalkeeping coach play against England. Her impressions were of a very good shot-stopper, but of a keeper who was not good at coming off his line, and seemed to be a poor communicator!.
I will stop before this gets any scarier, but somebody, for god’s sake, keep him away from Szczszczszzzzzesny.
A Cham-akh-pagne for me please, and one for yourself on yet another sane, well balanced post. Like the Barca bloggy bits.
irish gooner @ 31, i doubt there is anyone else around at this time in the morning to read your bile.
Do you actually know who Cesc Fabregas is, or has someone just read his name to you?.
No go and ask nurse for your medication and try to get some sleep.
BUFFON
Sagna SUBOTIC Vermaelen Clichy
Nasri Song Cesc
Robin Chamakh
Nicklas, Andrei, Diaby, Theo, Johann, MBIA, Manuel
sorry,
BUFFON
Sagna SUBOTIC Vermaelen Clichy
Nasri Song Cesc
Marouane Robin Arshavin
Subs: Nicklas, Theo, Tomas, Diaby, Johann, Manuel, Eboue.
Chamakh is a welcome addition to the squad. I believe that Cesc will stay as we look unprepared to lower our 50-60 million valuation of him and Barcelona’s debt looks likely to hinder their ability to stump up the fee. Cesc is tied down for another five years (contrary to the four years being reported) and we are in a position of power when it comes to negotiations. We don’t need the cash to be forced into a sale at a cut-price and I don’t think Cesc is the type of player who will not give his all if he is still wearing the mighty red and white next season.
If we were to sell him I think that their Ukranian defender could be a potential make-weight in the deal and would be a good partner for Tommy at the back. In addition to a new goalkeeper and a new centreback (whoever they may be), another holding midfielder as Denilson just can’t cut it in the big games and we’ll be good to go.
Zlatan along with Yaya Toure have also been touted as possible makeweights in the deal, personally I think as good a player as Ibrohimovic is, he is vastly over-rated, a potential disruptive force in thd dressing room and will command an astronomical wage. And in addition to our attacking options of Arshavin, Theo and our out and out strikers in Bendtner, RVP and Chamakh we need no more attacking players.
Just the keeper, centre back or two and holding midfielder please Arsene!
Trev: Irish Gooner’s incomprehending audience is also awake here on the other side of the world. Good advice about his meds, though.
Thanks ‘holic for a nice, positive post in light of all the crap that we’ve been reading (in the media not on the good Arsenal blogs π ) the last few days. It’s good that this signing, which has been a saga of its own in the sense that it’s gone on for a long time, has finally been done. Also, the personal ‘holic recommendation means that this will be a player I’ll be really looking forward to seeing on the pitch.
This may be last in this summer.
AW pls check any other free agent is there in the world to join arsenal.
Errm Ill have a nonalcoholic “wasp” ..look it up in the great book of girliedrinks. Excellent piece Holic very informative and now I cant wait to see him play for us.
I think he will fit right in..
Ever since the rumours Ive tried Watching Chamack every chance I get mostly been in the championsleague and eurogoals and Im thrilled he is finally coming. He is a tall lad with good feet who works his socks of if we really are going to play him and Bendy at the same time .. I d worry way less on setpieces even if Fabianski becomes nr 1 Chamack is very very strong on the head. And his goal tally will improve at Arsenal. Chamacks stats are way better than Adebayors were when we got him.
You said:
The older Gooners will understand me when I say he is an Eastham, not a Fabregas.
A scholar and a gentleman was George, but the point is well made.
Team formation prediction for 2010/2011.
——————Almunia——————
———————————————-
Sagna–Campbell–Vermalen—Clichy
———————————————
——————-Song——————–
———————————————
————Nasri———Diaby———–
———————————————
—Van Persie—————-Arshavin–
——————Chamakh—————
We’ll see C29 as our only signing this summer, and Gallas will definitely leave. Wenger will give Campbell a one-year extension on his contract and could sign another defender as a backup to step up into first team when Campbell leaves. We will see Fabregas leave for Barcelona, and Diaby/Rosicky to fill in his role.
Van Persie will play on the right-wing and could cut in with his left foot for Chamakh to score, and Walcott will be an impact Substitute as a right-winger. Arshavin will eventually leave in 1 or 2 years time because of his displease in English, and Bendtner will replace him as a starter for left-wing in future. Whereas for Almunia, Lloris and Hart would definitely not be able to join Arsenal, so Fabianski will be given the start, but his floppy goalkeeping would mean Almunia is the preferred choice.
The way chamakh me feel!
Top priority should be gk – buffon or akinfeev please
subotic or kjaer (or both)
oh and tell txiwhatshisname b-arse-a director that yes you will be held to ransom over cesc we dont have to sell he has afour year contract and if real paid 80 mill for ronaldo and 55 mill for kaka then some in the region of 70 mill is the going rate- or straight swap for messi might soften the blow
“irish gooner @ 31, i doubt there is anyone else around at this time in the morning to read your bile.”
I think I will leave it there, Trev, just so the good people of Cork can see the result of care in the community.
Good one kevnal.
How about a bit of Robert Palmer?
Chamakh’s my day…
Or we could get ‘down on the street’ with Chamakhattack.
He has this uncanny likeness to Ronaldo in looks,ONLY. I have taken a keen interest in the lad for the past season as story-line after story-line spoke about his possible move, elevated to pending move to Arsenal. Being an avid United fan, I’m always interested in knowing how the competition plan to improve year-over-year. So, i made the effort to watch as many of his games as possible and initially I was impressed. But upon closer inspection it became clear that while he has quick feet, good technique and a Ronaldo like penchant for diving, ok, being unbalanced, he is no Ronaldo and quite frankly No Nani. If this is Arsenals big signing for 2010 / 11, then pray that Fabergas does not leave. Yes, Chamakh will make some noise but I’m afraid it will be a whimper.
wow wenger said we will sign 1 or 2 more thats for sure!!
Chamakh !….welcome aboard mate, gin and tonic for me barman and something soft for chamakh!
A Manc in Bermuda? What a waste of quality sunshine and oxygen.
One down only another 5 to go before we get some heart and fire into the team. We need top class players because we have proved over the last 3-4 years that we just aint good enough. and we do not have any serious strenght in depth.
Go get the player we all crave and deserve !!
Who’s that miserable bugger pinching my moniker π
Certainly another three for me, so I reckon you ain’t far out mate, but cheer up for gawds sake.
At last!
(but I don’t know where you got your 8 from ‘holic, no such rumour here and I hope Tremoulinas doesn’t consider going there, he is quality, especially at crossing π ).
To celebrate the signing, I’ll have a whole bottle of your finest Bordeaux, Sir. To be shared, obviously!
[…] Goonerholic on Chamakh […]
I just watched Arsene video on Chamakh etc, he did mention in the end that we are definitely looking at one or two more singings on top!
I think we will buy two more players and if Barca think they can just come to our yard and start chucking shit at our player who infact is still under contract they can really Fuck Off including the Spanish media. To be honest Barca may be the boggest club in europe but the way they do business off the pitch it’s fucking disgraceful!
Enjoy the sun, Holics
Beautiful morning. Basking in the afterglow of a new signing and my booking confirmation for me and my lad. Yes, it’s the Emirates Tournament – Whoopee! 31st July versus the mighty Milan. No 29 to bag a brace?
Come on the Arse!
Is it too early to say WTNG?
Chamakh vill play to the left, as an substitute to arshavin
Wenger will be sensitive in the first 6 months as usual, he needs 6 months to settle in…
Chamakh vill play to the left, as an substitute to arshavin
Wenger will be sensitive in the first 6 months as usual, he needs 6 months to settle inβ¦like thierry henry
HE WILL NEED TIME TO SETTLE IN…
his workrate will suit us in the 4-3-3…
he can and will track back a lot more than arshavin and close down midfield and attack
he¨s good in the air, good for us both good in attack and to defend our own corners
Its a good singing but it a great singing? but theres not much in stake i just want to see a new gollie come if gallas stays i still want a cb for replacement if injured and maybe if possible joe cole?
id like to see the squad like this next season
——NEW GOALIE——-
———verm—gallas/whoever——clichy
—————song———
———–fabregas——-nasri
——–arshavin—–vpersie
———–chamakh——–
but id like also walcott to play half of the season atleast i think he needs more time and hell be a great great player also bendtner π
Very sad to see our 2 young Spanish players, Cesc & Merida leave for brighter pastures. Why can’t the worst Spanish player we have leave also, that idiot Almunia. Why? Cause no one values him except Wenger. Wenger is off to S. Africa soon for his normal TV work for the French, shouldn’t he be focusing on bringing in players for Arsenal? That tells me that Chamakh will be our only acquisition this off-season. Sad but true.
Another bottle of gin Bernard?
I live in California “oldgooner”…it’s only 9.20AM. Just had some weetabix and bananas. Born and bred in Islington though.
Old Gooner@50: Cut the “we all” crap. Where were you this season when the team came back twice to the top after falling behind? Did you even watch the Stoke game? Do you know how many games we won in the last 5 minutes before this team never gave up?
This is the toughest Arsenal team in a very long time who have displayed a mental of champions that made very gooner proud. As for bringing mercenaries to toughen up the team, that’s simply laughable.
As for how many players we need, it won’t matter if we cannot lower our injury rate to the level of our closest competitors. It’s obvious to everyone that we had the best XI this season and we’d won the title if it wasn’t for an all-time injury record (not able to play twice the same team in the entire season!).
Then I heard Citeh are planning to get 5 players, looks like the team you should support.
Hi Bernard, just finished my breakfast too π
Cesc is not gone yet mate. Let’s not fall prey to Barca’s PR.
Easy Matt,
I want my readers to come back π
Bernard, I think Arsene being in South Africa will put him in line with every other major club manager on the planet. They will all be looking for the next signing out there.
You might want to wait a bit longer before making assumptions about Almunia? I suspect if we can find another ‘keeper his position will become very apparent to all.
Thanks for dropping in from California.
Apologies `Holic. Just trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. Old habits never die…
That said controversy is good for traffic π
Only thing to add is that I DO like Arsene praising Chamakh’s “fighting” qualities. A non too subtle message to some of the others?
Very happy if that’s the way we are going. Within the spirit of things, of course. Ish.
Catalan, I have been thinking the same, and if you look at the three most recent signings (Vermaelen, Sol and Chamakh) they all have that fighting spirit in common. I don’t think that is a coincidence at all.
Lars.. It would be nice to get our fighting weight back up again. No more little’uns, please Arsene!
Next up, a great big lump of a goalie please!
Hi guys,
I’m not from the UK, but did hear a lot of opinions about the paper “news of the world”, they wrote that Cesc had an emotional talk with AW and told him he wants to leave no matter what and that he told his friends that he won’t be persuaded to stay whatsoever, it really worries me, so could you guys tell me how is the credibility of that paper please?
Arsenal good.
Other teams evil.
snir geuli about news of the world (add to that daily mail,sun,daily mirror).better buy playboy magazine ,you get better news lol π
Thanks for that lordgunner – you really cool me off, even though I actually do believe the mirror since I respect John Cross quite a bit after watching him on ATVO and I take it he’s pretty well sourced around the club.
Can anyone else tell me anything about News of the world (Cause basically come to think of it, it isn’t really comforting that almost every paper as you pointed out is always wrong π )
morning all
just had thought
we sell fab for 40 mill and lose fran, gallas- then dont buy anyone to replace these (we know chamakh is going to be are only signing) wilshere will play in emirates cup and then go out on loan after a fantastic showing. In jan we will buy an aging cb (again our only signing)then in April we can boast how we’ve paid off most of our stadium debt and made more profit than any other club and can now compete with chelsea in the tran sfer window and then we win fuck all and barca take RVP – what great future! I cant wait
I’d pack up that thinking nonsense if I were you, kevnal.
It doesn’t appear to be one of your strengths when your tired π
yeah perhaps ur right – maybe the ale still having an effect!!
Good man, alcohol is a depressant. Look at me, I’d leave well alone if I were you π
Snir Geuli, the Lies of the World is a paper that you should not even touch with a ten foot pole. It has to be one of the most despicable publications ever. If anything that is in the LOTW happens to be true it is pure coincidence.
Generally, you shouldn’t ever read the Sunday editions of the tabloids. But LOTW (which, by the way, is the Sunday edition of The Sun) is in a league of it’s own.
Thanks Lars you really helped me through the day π
LET CESC go AND NO MORE young kids from big clubs or their boyhood supporting club is some european giant…
theo can leave for liverpool…
Gourcuff ll be a great signing, he is slow but not as slow as fabregas !!
Good evening Holic & Holic`s
Let me start with a standing ovation for Arsene for bringing in a player of Chamakh`s ability for nothing, niche, Nada not a bean. Bloody good business which ever way you look at it. As for bringing him in last season no one walking this planet could of guessed the injuries that would befall us up front. Same as Holic and I would say many others here when the deal was getting closer in January when a gentleman’s agreement was made between Chamakh and Arsenal I took a great interest in him and watched quite a few games to see what we were getting. The only thing I can add to what Holic has already wrote about him is his fantastic work rate. This man will cover every blade of grass to win the ball and the game and this was for a team he was leaving, very impressive in this day and age of over priced prima donnas.
As for the Cesc situation I do not foresee him going any where. Barca think they were going to get him on the cheap by persuading him to ask for a transfer ( Allegedly ) But sadly barca forgot one thing ! We hold all the cards and they are all ace`s. 1. 4 years remaining on his contract 2. We dont want to sell 3. We dont have to sell 4. Who the fuck do they think they are any way.
When the story first broke and there were all sorts of statements flying around I will be the first to admit I was a tad concerned. Ok ok a little more than a tad worried. But in the cold light of day and a few more facts to hand now I really do not see him leaving. Barca claim to have only Β£30m and no more, please someone pick me up from laughing. Did they actually think we would say well if you only have Β£30m then that will have to be the fee, what a bunch of fucking retards ! From my 4 points earlier I would like to bring your attention to points 2 & 3 and leave it at that.
I am sorry for dragging this back up as I know its been covered but I have been at work and unable to post in the relevant Holic blog on the subject.
‘Holic since you asked I’ll hazard a guess that Chamakh will be our starter in 24 games next season. If he starts that many and does a good job it should be considered a great success considering that Wenger bloods newbies very slowly.
The King is dead. Long live the King.
When the self acclaimed “Special One” graced our shores, he immediately picked a fight with Arsene. Which meant he picked a fight with me.Β
We didn’t know too much about him except that remarkably, he’d won the Champions League with Porto – no mean meat.
He was arrogant, self assured and cocky. He took the heat off his players. ‘Them and us’ was the Company motto.
His brand of football was defensive and dour, even his rich benefactor thought so. Chequebook champs. I fucking hated him.
I was delighted when it all turned sour and he left for a pizza the action (sorry). Surprisingly, to me, he turned Inter around very quickly into Italian Champions and European Champions. His greatest victory, for me, not the final, but the Semis – a fucking masterpiece.
The King is dead – for Inter fans. But, forgiven. The King now (contracts permitting), resides within the Bernabeu. Where he will surely turn Real into Spanish and then European Champions – sacrificing a little flair for a little brasso.
And, I think I might have slowly melted towards this man. Easy to loathe, yet ‘a fucking winner’.
So you see Cesc, winning trophies is not a formality at Barca anymore. Not if my old friend Jose has anything to do with it.
Enjoy, ponder and remember ‘the grass is not always greener’. You may just miss out on a ‘golden age’ closer to ‘home’.
Β
AFC 74
Good point… and Guardiola won’t be staying at Barca for ever if normal Spanish procedures are followed.
There’s a few squeaky bums in Catalunya about Real and the Special One.
Disappointed that we havent come to a firm conclusion on the Cesc Barca fiasco. My gooner friend living in Newcastle tells me that Fab is adamant about leaving.
There cannot be a middle ground here. Either Wenger needs to address the lack of quality squad depth or he needs to let Fabregas go.
If he keeps the same set of players and retains Fabregas – we are going to have a disinterested player in our ranks next season. And if he also happens to be the club captain we are in deep shit.
I think it should be uninterested ..not disinterested **
disinterested is good, Sajit.
Catalan – interesting the Pep angle as well, being a boyhood hero of Cesc. Just how long will he be around? What if they bring in someone who is a little more pragmatic with his style of coaching? He may start to disband the team?
Yeah, the more I think about it a touch of Schadenwotsit os creeping in π
AFC 74
Most fans out here reckon 2 more years. 4 years seems to be the natural life span of a manager… and it may even be less if he decides he’s done it all already (which he has!)…. so maybe Cesc moves to be trained by him for just one year.
Are you reading this Cesc??!
Most people here are agreed that the extra time with his family and then international team mates has been the deciding factor. May be utter bollocks but it makes sense.
Also, many Barca fans are surprised by the whole thing – they can’t see where he will fit in.
Catalan – That’s the thing that the press aren’t actually picking up on (UK Press). There appears to be a feeling amongst Barca fans that actually, where is Cesc going to play? And do we need him? Rather expensive bench warmer for Xavi or Iniesta!
As I said Cesc – think very carefully.
Maybe Arsene should leave a copy of The Arsenal Magazine open at page 54 ” Grass not always Greener…” Alex Helbs interview.
“The path from North london to Catalunya has become a well trodden one over the last decade. Petit, Overmars, Sylvinho, Van Bronckhurst, henry … by and large it has proven to be a tough transition.”
Maybe He should stay another year at least then Our jack will be ready to be unleashed!!!!
Catalan, I’ve been wondering…
Are people in Catalunya even prepared for the chance that Barca’s offer would be rejected or are they convinced they’ll have him since they’re Barca and “the greatest club- mes que un club” and all that crap?
And one more thing that interests me is if Rossell’s statement about Barca’s debt harmed his chances of being elected in the upcoming elections?
http://clockenders.com/afc/?p=4701
Definitely worth a read.
Sajit – interesting blog. I remember even under Graham, the team had to dress smartly – pissed, but smartly!
I have just read that Mourinho is keen for the Real president to inform Arsenal they will better any offer their rivals Barcelona make for Fabregas.
I wonder if this is just more rumours.If it is true,is Jose really interested in signing Cesc or is it him up to his mind games already?
What ever,I really hope that he pisses Barca of big time!
…………………………..Fabianski
………..Sagna—Koscielny—Vermaelen—Clichy
………………………….Song—Diaby
…………………Fabregas———–Arshavin
……………………………..Chamakh
………………………..Van Persie
Dear chamakh
just want to say you doing well in fiting at our team arsenal sure you will shine in the future
and its nice to see you giving all you got in every game .
You will have a lots of chances to score when you start receiving the balls in the 18 yards
i am sure winger will notice that you are not geting good supplys yet like you used to with BORDEAUX
by TREMOLINAS and GOURCUF be patiant you will have a lot supplys in future games
keep up with the good play and team work as you are knowen by .
GOOD LUCK FUTURE ARSENAL LEGEND MAROUANE CHAMAKH