One Gun, And Maybe A Second, Eye Up World Cup Final Glory
Jul 6th, 2010 by 'holic
As members of parliament are required to declare any interests, so should I point out that I reached for an orange shirt and matching socks when getting dressed this morning. Not that anybody in work seemed to cotton on to the reason for my bright appearance.
So you won’t be surprised to hear I celebrated briefly, but loudly, the Gio van Bronkhorst strike that put the Netherlands ahead. In truth though that wonderful shot, and the one from Forlan that cancelled it out, provided the only moments worthy of the occasion in the opening half.
So similar was the second-half. Also tense, nervous, two sides cancelling each other out. Thankfully it all opened up in the final twenty minutes as first Sneijder, and then Robben, finally found a route through the South American rearguard.
Uruguay found their missing ambition, struck in injury time through Pereira, then appeared to react to their inevitable frustrations at the final whistle, although to be fair a degree of provocation may have avoided the cameras.
So Arsenal fans will be delighted for Robin van Persie, now dreaming of hitting the winner in Sunday’s Final, whilst accepting he will need at very least a decent holiday at the end of it. Will he be ready for the start of the season? Given his injury record I would imagine the club will not rush him through a shortened pre-season preparation.
Which Leads Us To Nicklas
Bendtner, that is, who appears to be suffering from knack knack, if you will pardon the expression. If he misses the start of the season, having aggravated his injury on World Cup duty with Denmark, he knows full well he is likely to fall behind new signing Marouane Chamakh in the pecking order.
To think we were praying for a relatively injury-free new season after the events of the last two or three years. What were we thinking? Just days ago we were wondering if we would be changing formation to accommodate our rich seam of striking talent. We will be lucky to have one striker left to play up top in August, at this rate.
A Second Gunner Targets World Cup Final
It seems as though the Cesc Fabregas injury scare from earlier was no more than that, just a scare. The BBC report he should be fit to start against in-form Germany, if required. Let’s hope his likely inclusion in place of the hapless Torres doesn’t result in making any knock worse.
The ‘not as well off as some would have you believe‘ scum continue to make utterances about signing one of the world’s great players on the cheap. They are becoming a huge embarrassment to football now. I’m concerned only at the unsettling effect all their blatant tapping up will have had on Cesc himself.
Having said that if what I hear about his attitude and professionalism are proved correct, and I’m sure they are, he will understand full well that the club he may well have wanted to join cannot afford to pay the correct price for his unique talents, and will still give his all in his adopted red-and-white.
A little hint to Sandro Rosell.
“It’s a topic that has become so public and that’s the worst thing you can do with a transfer.”
Correction, tosspot, it’s the worst thing you, your predecessor, and all of your verbose puppet players could have done. Now go get the collecting tins out.
75 Responses to “One Gun, And Maybe A Second, Eye Up World Cup Final Glory”
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If Spain end up winning fuck all this world cup it can be attributed to the Spanish players spending more time trying to convince Cesc than concentrating on their jobs!
Barca can just go fuck themselves. “More than a club” my arse. “Soon no more a club at all” more likely. “Oh, we’ve just borrowed 150 million euros to pay wages, that’s no biggie and by the way we’ve just sold that defender we bought just a year ago at a β¬10 million loss!”
Read it again, folks. Barca have borrowed upwards of half of what we borrowed to build the Emirates – to pay players’ wages!!! That is absolutely absurd. Rosell’s claim that it is a “short-term cash flow problem” doesn’t really hold water either, because now is when clubs have more cash than at any point during the season due to season tickets renewals, membership renewals, sponsorship money being paid out etc.
OK, I don’t think they will go bust, but no-one is untouchable. Barca may be protected by their catalan bank, but not even banks can keep pouring money into black holes without going bust.
Forgot this:
A pint of Boddington’s for me!
I’m really starting to worry for the 15th of August at Anfield.
If RVP get the needed rest and Bendtner is injured, we have to start Chamakh and I’m not too sure he’ll be that integrated into our system so soon. We need RVP up front against Liverpool that day, it is imperative we start with a win there.
heres hoping barca go bust the bunch of fucking pricks
Nice one there ‘holic!
Come on RvP
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man god damn it!!!!!!!!!! im starting to hate spain with passion now!! stupis freakin cuntelona scum!!! Germany all the way!…..now who is with me? ps (please please please some one kick pique and xavi in the nuts for me)
Am I the only one who noticed a distinct lack of passes heading Van Persie’s way? He consistently put himself in good positions to no avail, with the comedy gymnast Robben and Schnieder seeming not to see him at all. What’s he point of playing him at the point of no one seems to see him? He made some lovely feeds, and saved a goal. What’s up with those Nederlanders?
How long can a Spanish bank afford to support a football club during (Spain’s) financial crisis?
And just a glass of water please, off to bedski…
Gogsy – Until the IMF starts asking questions like they did with Greece.
I don’t see Barca being able to afford Cesc next year if the IMF is to come in and start dealing with Spain’s financial crisis, I think that’s the reason Cesc wants out this year cause you’ll never know if they could bring him next year.
You say that RVP didn’t get any service from his team-mates but what about Cesc the other night. If he didn’t know before he must realise now that he won’t get the ball from Villa when he makes those late runs into the box.
http://blog.emiratesstadium.info/2010/07/barcelona-teeters-on-the-edge-of-financial-collapse-how-why-what-err/
Gogsy- your question is answered exactly in this article.
I recommend this piece to everyone here… The grass isn’t always greener even with tons of trophies over the last couple of years.
The problem with Cesc is that everybody knows now that he wants to go. It is very difficult to keep a player who wants to leave – not because Arsenal need the money, but because of concerns over the players attitude.
Unfortunately, he only wants to leave for one club, so how do you try to force the price up if Barca say they will not exceed Β£35million?
Like you ‘Holic, one can only hope that Cesc is such an honest lad, that he will accept the situation and play as he always has, if Barca can’t come up with the right money.
Apparantly, just seen on Sky Sports News that tomorrow’s Daily Star (must be true then) has us bidding Β£20million for Oezil, whatever that may signify.
Do you think RVP will need that much of a break, having had about 5 months off last season. He did the equivalent of a pre-season, and then some, to get himself fit for April. He looks like he is just starting to really play himself in?
Snir – great link, cheers, very interesting stuff.
Surely those gobby gits have got around 350 vice-presidents they can sack if they want to get the wage bill down.
I looooove your world cup posts! I follow a number of Arsenal blogs and yours has been consistently giving the best WC2010 dose.
Cheers!! π
Great post `Holic, lots of interesting points.
@dadadwee: I fully agree, it’s as if the Dutch players were only using RvP as a decoy. Hopefully that will reduce his chances of being injured…
@Snir: we have a great set of players who will be raging to to go against Pool:
Song – Nasri – Denilson
Arshavin – Theo – Chamakh
No need to stress so early. Don’t forget how likely it is that Liverpool will be without Torres, Mascherano, Gerrard etc !
@Trev: you may want to double-check the Swiss Ramble, Barca’s state is not as dire as the ever-rosy Untold Arsenal paints it. Here: http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-can-barcelona-afford-cesc-fabregas.html
The loan is more tactical than really needed.
Cesc is not gone yet, he himself left the door open a couple of days ago. And with his little injury scare Cesc can expect to start on the bench again… Del Bosque will be our savior π
Trev – I really do believe that Cesc didn’t want to leave this offseason but got the message from Barca officials that their finances are shit so he wants out this year cause they might not be able to afford him next season. He knows he’s not wanted by Barca, when Barca want a player they’ll pay with every cent they have and then some, just ask Inter.
But, and this is a big but, he is willing to live with the idea of staying cause he does love Arsenal and he does owe Arsene his career and he knows that he won’t be released on the cheap.
So in other words, Cesc prefers playing for Barca but has no problem playing for Arsenal.
Staying at AFC won’t make him unhappy, it’s moving to Barca that’ll make him extremely happy. There’s a big difference in that.
“…itβs moving to Barca thatβll make him extremely happy.”
Small correction: he believed that moving to Barca willll make him extremely happy. After this WC I think he got a clearer idea on how happy he would be on Barca’s bench
@Matt – I saw that piece, and although it says there at the end that Barca will be able to afford Cesc, it’ll be achievable in the short term but it’s not a long term solution and I get the feeling Rossel whole election platform was about how he’ll save Barca’s finances.
About Pool away, I’m sure we got sufficient depth in our squad, I’m just worrying a bit for the upfront role cause it HAS to be RVP during the season, and Liverpool away especially when it’s the first match of the season when you need to start on the right foot is not a match to experiment with :).
Matt – First of all, how are you mate π ? Got caught in the heat of the debate so didn’t greet you first π
This is a quote from the last paragraph of the Swiss Rambler’s piece : “but if Fabregas does not end up at Barcelona, I donβt think it will be for financial reasons. The Catalans generate a huge amount of revenue, which they clearly budget to spend on improving their squad. ”
The whole thing about the Untold Arsenal piece is not the fact that Barca generates annual revenue, it’s the lack of cash flow that’ll make them owe huge sums of money they’ll eventually start NOT paying.
i would not bet on it Snir. Barca will get the money from their rights one way or another and the loan is just there because it may take some time before the matter is resolved.
They have sold Yaya Toure and they will obviously offload Ibra so they will have the money to buy Cesc even at the price we are asking for.
I still think Cesc will captain Arsenal next season but it won’t be because Barca can’t afford him. It will be thanks to Del Bosque π
So now do you believe my conspiracy theory :)?
Good work all.
Just one comment from me.
“The loan is more tactical than really needed.”
You don’t borrow that amount of money, ‘tactically’, in todays market Matt. When Rosell himself says “We have taken over a club in debt and with liquidity problems” he is not wrong.
All big transfer deals are done on the never never. Arsenal are still owed for Henry and Hleb. Who do you think will want to deal with Barca in this state? Trust me, if we do, I will be staggered if it is not on the basis of the lions share of the money up front, and they don’t have it.
i think B-arse-a still owe us from Henry and Hleb
Should we call in their debt – are we the only team they owe money to?
Collectively call in the debt and put the tossas out of business
I’m rooting against Spain tonight and while I may appreciate their football, I’d love to see Germany in the final. They’ve been way more fun to watch this world cup. Also, Fabregas could use the rest and the time away from Guardiola’s boys to get ready for next season with Arsenal.
I’ve been wondering who is selling them Cesc?! The last i checked we were not selling him! therefore we have not set a price for the asset we are not selling! Some body teach these barstards basic English! Or we can re-issue that statement in catalan and wankerish.
`Holic I see it more like you now that I have read the FT version here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/904f522e-8921-11df-8ecd-00144feab49a.html
Let’s hope they have not budgeted Cesc in the 150mils loan then.
Aren’t IOUs common in the football world?
@Snir and others, thanks for the links re: Barca debt. The fact that Spain is financially in a worse way than the UK and next in line after Greece to take a hit makes Barca vulnerable. Player pay cuts and selling off big name players may be on the cards in a couple of years.
As the UK is also vulnerable at present, Arsenal’s fiscal policy does look very wise now.
What has been wrong with Arsenal for the past few years is not so much a lack of good players but a lack of organisation. The players can pass-and-move, tackle etc. but we get caught out so many times when the defence is strewn out, all over the place. Now, Germany have players with the same talent but they also have top-drawer organisation and look where that has got them.
Arsene could do a lot worse than bring in a few of those German players and learn how to organise the team in the same way. Maybe we should abandon the Barcelona model and go for the German approach.
Yesterday, Rosell said that he couldn’t imagine what kind of reception Cesc would get if he came back to Arsenal next season.
He also said that he and Guardiola were going down to South Africa to fuck with his head a bit more, before the World Cup final.
I am so pissed off that UEFA and FIFA have let this blatant tapping up go on for so long, without any censure at all but now that they admit to psychological torture and screwing the brain of a highly talented young man, so that he can no longer go about the work he is contracted to do, can UEFA still sit on their hands? Sadly, I am sure that is what they will do.
Maybe we should start a petition and lobby UEFA, if Arsenal are not prepared to do it.
Something is rotten in the state of Catalunia. That piece on Untold Arsenal is exactly in line with what I wrote earlier in this drinking session, there is no way in hell that having a cash-flow problem to the tune of 150 million euros during the summer months is “nothing to worry about”. And for every bill you don’t pay the risk increases of someone eventually being pissed off enough to go to court and demand their money – it doesn’t matter how popular Barca are in Catalunia, if it comes down to survival suppliers are eventually going to start demanding to be payed no matter what.
I’ll have a pint of John Smiths, please.
Commenting on Barca’s reluctance to up the bid on Cesc.
Alexandre (Dimitri?) Rosell i Feliu – aka Sandro Rosell – has quite a bit to prove now he’s president. On the financial side Barca – like Spain (the country) are in a financial mess. The β¬25 million-Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Eto’o-for-Ibrahimovich-plus transfers were disasters. Chygrynskiy was voted ‘worst player in la Liga’ and has already left while Ibrahimovich hasn’t exactly been the roaring success envisaged.
In this climate, there’s no way Barca are going to up the offer on Cesc beyond the β¬40 million (Β£34M) they’ve paid for David Villa.
After all, Villa (5 goals in 5 world cup matches) is obviously a star player while Cesc can only get 93 minutes of playing time plus he’s always injured.
So, as Rosell says, Barcelona are not going to table much more to get Cesc which means either we’ll have to lump their offer or Cesc is staying put – though hopefully not in a beardy huff-sulk-grump.
Injuries to our players ? Who would have thought it ? Never mind, our manager’s on top of things. He’ll just sign a couple more replacements.To go with the many others he has already signed like….er,…er,
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again….In Arsene we rust.
Love the way you dont hear shit from the likes of Platini over this,
So let me get this straight Barca are having to take out a loan to Pay their players and staff whilst at the same time tapping up another player that will if he goes even at the price they would like to pay set them back another 30-40mill + wages,
If it was an English club doing that Uefa and Fifa would be hurridly running around trying to introduce new laws but because its the beautiful Barca not a words said as it wasnt when the Spanish goverment bailed out Madrid something is fucking rotten and this all stinks,
I fancied a holland v spain final at the start with the dutch winning 2-1 but paddy power online only give me a price of 60/1 for the dutch to beat spain in a final i thought it was crap value at the time im now not so sure π
God im praying the germans stuff spain tonight for my hatred of everything Barca and my pocket !!!
Germans or Spain… either way it’s enough to make a bloke want to shoot himself in the head. EN-GUR-LAND!
I must admit that I for one am getting bored rigid with Barca, Spain and Mr Fabregas. For whatever the reasons are he clearly wants out and a trip back to Barca. The fact that he has said he will only go back there and will not consider anywhere else plays into their hands a little. But the fact that this unrelenting tapping up still continues is a disgrace. I agree with others who have mentioned the lack of intervention by both UEFA and FIFA. It is a shambles. I am bored reading about how every player in the Spanish squad, and other squads for that matter would love Cesc at Barca. I am bored hearing that the knob that is Sandra Rosell still wants him, wonβt pay the asking price, has spoken to his parents etc. I am bored reading that for some reason Guardiola has been into the Spanish camp and reassured Cesc that he is still in his plans. I am bored with the invertebrates that run football doing nothing about it. And I really wish that we would issue a statement saying that if there is anymore of this blatant tapping up that we will make it official.
I have no idea where Cesc will be for next season but I for one hope he goes. I think he is truly a wonderful player and I have enjoyed countless times watching him play. I have enjoyed his passion and pride in playing for The Arsenal. But he does not want to be here anymore. He has made it quite clear that he does not want to be here anymore. I have no doubt that if he stays that he will be nothing but the consummate professional but I really do not want a player who does not want to stay. If he is here I strongly feel that he should not have the armband. I really do not see how someone who so desperately wants out can lead our side.
I hope Spain lose. I hope Cesc is on the bench and I hope that people take their blinkers off and see Barca for what they really are. For me it is now put up or shut up time for them. Pay the Β£60 million, agree the deal within 14 days or fuck off. I do think it really is that simple. The longest it drags on the less chance we have of being able to bring in the right replacement and having the squad ready for the start of the season. Young Mr Fabregas has not endeared himself to me Iβm afraid and I am rapidly beginning to run out of patience with him.
Well guys looks like a Holland – Germany final from where I’m sitting, wow Holland’s first final @ to play it against their arch enemy’s, & take it from guys (I have a few old Dutch friends from years back) the Dutch hate them far more then we ever will, no mutual but arms length respect here going on just pure contempt, well I’m expecting fireworks myself just hope the football prevails & it don’t turn into a spitting match like the last time these two played each other years ago in the world cup?
Oh on the Cesc front thanks for the reads “Snir Geuli – Lars – Holc great info & insight, this situation must be embracing the hell out of UEFA and FIFA just think how easy they came down on the likes of the Chav’s & changed the rules on buying young players (one I happen to agree with to be honest) when we had that situation in the bag?
Barca MUST be in financial peril if you ask me borrowing money to pay wages we have defiantly seen this before, if you add to this the fact they still owe us money for previous dealings how the fuck are they going to pay us for Cesc with all this going on.
As for complaining to UEFA and FIFA AJ re this tapping-up situation I would not waste the ink in my pen on a petition because UEFA are so far in bed with the Spanish teams as I said before it’s embracing (for them).
So until GB/England get any representatives on UEFA (no time in this millennium) all we can do is hope these two Barca & RM fall on their swords in the near future & go skint?
@Matt – about Barca getting money from their rights, well the media company buying the rights is filing for bankruptcy and I don’t see any other company paying those huge sums of money in a country that has an unemployment rate of 20 (!!!!!!!) %. Spain’s financial state is horrible. But what does it matter, Cesc will be here cause of our friend Del Bosque with his conspiracy ;).
@Steve T – I think you’re being harsh on Cesc, I have never seen a player who wanted to go and act more noble than Cesc, he has not issued a transfer request, has not gone to the media and dealt with his transfer doings over the media, he has not come down or Arsenal’s reluctance to let him go, he’s going about it very professionally in my opinion.
You are being harsh on Cesc cause like I said before, it’s not that he doesn’t want to be here, it’s that he’d rather be at Barca, there is a big difference.
He knows that Barca’s finances are shit and if this goes on then they won’t be able to fund his transfer in the next years to come so he wants to be there now, but he acknowledges the fact that he won’t be released to anything less than 50 Million.
Just think of yourself that Arsenal would come calling wanting to buy you after you grew up being an Arsenal fan and it just so happens that that would be your best chance of getting a trophy, you’d go there in a second. If Cesc was to go to Inter, City, Real and co. I’d feel betrayed but I can understand him wanting to go Barca, or at least wanting more to be at Barca.
@Steve T: but how can you be so sure he “desperately wants out”? Yes, every catalunian and his dog have claimed things on Cesc’s behalf, but he has himself not once said that he actually wants to leave this summer. He also said during the past season that he was so tired of having to constantly deny rumours that he would no longer bother doing it which is probably also why he hasn’t really said that much in public (yet, anyway). I also think that Arsenal would not have been so definitive in that almost legendary reply to the quite frankly rather ridiculous bid from Barca if they had known that Cesc absolutely does not want to play for the Arsenal anymore.
Gents. I think we need to wake up and smell the coffee.
@Snir. You will have to explain again about how noble the Little Lord Cesc has been behaving because I really do not get that at all. He is 3 years into an 8 year contract. He holds no aces in this deal. None at all. That is why he has not asked for a transfer. He has been holed up in Spain since his injury. All the comments come from Spain. All the commenst come from Barca and people connected to Cesc. That to me seems nothing but the cowards way out. If he had any nobility in him he would come out in the press and say exactly what his feelings are. With it I hope he would show some respect. As far as I am concerned, if Arsenal are his second choice then I really am not that bothered about keeping him. It is for those reasons I do not think I am harsh.
@Lars. We are just holding out for the money we think we deserve for him. Cesc has said virtually nothing for the reasons I have listed above in my opinion. It is all big business and finance. He knows that and would not want to upset anyone that may put his move in jeapordy. There has been way too much to come out of Spain for the facts to be anything other than that he wants to move.
One final point. Cesc in my opinion would not be half the player he is if he had stayed at Barca. He would still be a bit part player who warmed the bench. He has been allowed to develop here into a top class player. I still feel he owes us something. And for those who still think that Cesc is loyal and noble then please do not be fooled. Loyalty and integrity are sadly dirty words in football these days. If Cesc was loyal then he would not have left Barca as a 16 year old.
It will be interesting to see how we the fans treat Cesc on his return after publicly flirting with Barca. Adebayor was lambasted and run out of the club after his summer fling. Will Cesc have the armband? Will he be welcomed back with open arms? Why should he get any different reception to the one Adebayor got? hmmmmm Letβs see
@Steve T – I’ll say again, I’d be the first to come down on Cesc if it had been any other club other than Barca. I do relate to him wanting to go back to Barca cause it’s been his childhood dream. I don’t think he’s not loyal by moving to AFC in the first place, first of all cause we’re not Espanyol or Real Madrid and second, cause it’s either that or quitting football and he said that a number of times.
I learned from my football supporting years not to believe a single word that’s written in the media unless it’s an official statement, so doesn’t matter how many comments come from Spain, I’ll keep on treating this issue as irrelevant until an official statement comes out cause there can be so much false in these reports (although there could also be truth but I don’t look at it all so I won’t need to differ between truth or false since it’s a tiring job π ).
Lots of transfer sagas have all kinds of statements from players saying all kinds of stuff and we always say “why didn’t he keep quiet? Just ask for the transfer and that’s it?”- Well Cesc did exactly that, asked for a transfer and kept quiet.
I do believe Adebayor deserves the stick he got a lot more cause he was after a money deal with AC Milan, stating his love for Milan, Cesc is stating his love for his HOME CLUB OF BARCELONA – So it’s a lot more understandable and it is no way for money issues, if it was he’d be playing in Real or City.
I still believe Cesc will be playing next season in an Arsenal shirt and will show more commitment than most of the squad.
One last thing, about what you said and I want your honest opinion, I’m not trying in any way to disrespect you or something –
“As far as I am concerned, if Arsenal are his second choice then I really am not that bothered about keeping him.”
If that’s what you think, should we then keep or release Bendtner and Arshavin?
So…how about that World Cup eh. Seriously, the Fabregas crap can wait another week, I’ve got two games left to watch.
@Steve T: but you still have not provided one single bit of evidence of Cesc actually ever having said that he wants out right now. You believe he wants out because other people are saying he does – but they have been saying that for years. The reason that Barcelona are constantly blabbering on about Cesc and what he supposedly wants in the media is to make people react just like you are reacting: by wanting to force him out.
And as for you thinking he is taking the coward route, maybe he is just being fed up with his comments constantly being taken out of context and twisted? Sometimes it seems the poor bloke can’t even say “oh, I just went to the bog and had a proper good shit” without it being turned into “CESC SAYS HE WANTS TO LEAVE FOR BARCELONA”.
@jp: if you can’t see the difference between Adebarndoor and Cesc I’d advise you to take a step back and look at it again. Ade flirted with all and sundry while demanding a massive pay-rise (“if you want me to score like Henry you pay me like Henry”) and generally being a massive cunt – like when he didn’t even bother to try v ManU in the CL semi away game. Cesc grew up being a Barca fan and has never made a secret of the fact that he wants to play for them some day and he has never once given anything less than 110% in any game for the Arsenal. He has said that if he leaves Arsenal it is for Barcelona. How is that in any way dishonest or greedy or whatever?
Red & White curses through my veins 365 days a year but for a month every 4 years were my heart turns Oranje.
It’s not easy watching divers like Van Nistelrooy (Manure), prima-donnas like Robben (Chelski) and thugs like Van Bommel play our beloved Red & White throughout the years and then somehow block out that history for the sake of an International Tournament. A tournament which usually mauls our Gooner players throughout the years leading up to it.
Then again you English must know how that feels when your cheering for a team made up of some of the biggest jerks that play in the EPL like Terry.
A paradox maybe? Red & White blood pumping through a body by a Oranje Heart. Hey, I’m a Dutch-Canadian to, which reflects the same colours.
I think even DB10 must suffer a little from this ailment.
Hup Holland Hup! Go you Red and White.
@Snir. I admire your optimism but I do not buy all of this childhood dream stuff. He has 5 years left on an 8 year contract. If he has this childhood dream then for me it is really simple. Don’t sign an 8 year contract. So if Cesc had not joined us he would have quit football? Is that really what you are saying or have I read that wrong? With regards to Arshavin or Bendtner you obviously have 1 up on me. I am not aware that either has said that they want to leave to club. You will have to enlighten me. I have no problems with any player that has the honesty to say that after a certain period they want to ply their trade elsewhere. Why not experience different leagues? But if that was always Cesc’s intention then do not sign an 8 year contract with all the riches that brings and expect to leave with 5 still to go.
@Lars. So what do you believe? That this is all made up paper talk? That none of the conversations have taken place and that Cesc wants to stay? And you think I want to force him out???????? You rally do not read a lot of the stuff I have posted on here then. I have been a season ticket holder for many years and have taken great pleasure in watching him develop. Cesc is a wonderful player who genuinely has the potential to be one of the world’s greats. All I wanted was for him to show some loyalty and honour his contract. Is that too much to ask? I will be back for the new season. Same block, same seat and with the same savings plan already in place to help me pay for it all again next year. I fully expected Cesc to return to Spain one day but thought that with 5 years left to run on his contract that he would have the decency to recognise that and commit to the club for a few more seasons at least. I sincerely hope you are right and that this is all pie in the sky paper talk. However, if you were a betting man where would your money be? I know where mine is.
If Cesc stays then it will be under duress. I think it will be difficult for him to wear the armband and I think that it would cause a whole host of problems.
Comparing it to the Ade situation is valid in certain aspects but not all. Ade was purely motivated by money. One interesting point to think about. Do you think that if Cesc had remained fit and therefore remained in England until the end of the season we would be having these problems now? I wonder how much affect his rehabilitation back home in Barca has resulted in “welfare checks” from members of the Barca staff?
@Steve T – I’m 100% sure that the months he spent rehabbing had an effect on him.
I am saying he MIGHT have quit football if not given the opportunity to move to AFC… TONS of players that don’t make the cut at senior level quit football and “understand” that it’s not for them to pursue a career in football.
And you’re acting quite naive with all that contract talk, there is not one player in the world that signs an 8 or something years contract expecting to actually see that contract out, it doesn’t go like that anymore.
I do believe that when he did sign that deal he figured out that he’d be 28 when the deal finishes and then finish his career at Barca, but things happen and the effect his family and friends had on him since April and the fact that Barca’s been winning everything for the past 2 years and Arsenal haven’t and most importantly Barca telling Cesc that it could be now or never cause their finances are shit, all those factors DO make a change.
About Bendtner and Arshavin, I was referring to the fact that Bendtner said his DREAM was to play for Barca or Real (thus stating AFC as second choice) and Arshaving said his dream was to play for Barca. I think that this “dream” is even more “severe” than Cesc’s since Cesc’s dream has some reason to it other than Barca playing good football. What is your opinion on that?
@Steve T: I got the impression that you wanted Cesc out, if I was wrong of course I apologize for that.
What I believe is that Cesc may well want to move, but that it would not be the end of the world if it doesn’t happen and that if he stays he will still give everything he has for the club just like he always has.
It is perfectly possible to be happy even if you don’t get your first choice. Think of it like this: in one room you have one beautiful, naked blonde woman who wants you to climb into bed with her and in the other you have another one but with brown hair. Maybe you prefer the blonde one, but for some reason you can’t get the door open so you’ll have to settle for the brown-haired one, who is still a prettier woman than anyone you have ever seen apart from perhaps the blonde in the other room. Now, would you really be unhappy with her even though she was your second choice? π
@ Lars… genius analogy! LOL
I’ve been a fan of the Dutch team for years and watch every game of theirs I can access but I can’t support this Dutch team, despite the presence of several players I admire a lot. Von Bommel is one of the sport’s most cynical, thuggish, provocateurs who deliberately tries to get players sent off and tries to injure opponents. How he hasn’t been sent off in this world cup or gotten more bookings than he has is a great mystery of this tournament.
The team is full of rotational foulers and divers who go out to deliberately provoke and pressure the referee systematically. Spain and Germany and Uruguay are hardly saints but this Dutch team’s antics are organized, systematic and constant.
Hup Holland Hup.
The Oranje Army march on and I can tell you that WC fever has reached epidemic proportions here in the Lowlands.
I’ll stay out of the Cesc disscussion for now, but Barcaloanmesomemoneya still suck balls.
Cheers all.
Laurent Verytoughtospelllastname is on arsenal dot com.
Sandra from B-arse had this to say:
Rosell intends to meet Gunners manager Arsene Wenger in South Africa shortly to discuss a deal for Fabregas, who started his career at the Nou Camp.
“It’s now or never. We’ll do it fast. It won’t be protracted,” said Rosell.
“I’ll try to see Wenger in South Africa, then we’ll tell you what happens.
“We would not pay the 50-60m euros that I have read about. If Arsenal do not go crazy, he might play at Barca.
“There will be 50m euros to sign more players. This is the case every year. This is our plan for the future.
“Technically, as of now we have 50m euros plus 15 for Chygrynskiy and 24 for Toure. In total, 89m euros (about Β£75m).”
@Lars: excellent analogy!
@marcus: too right. I think I’ll still support them only because Germany has won it too many times and I want Spain/B-arse to lose. But I will be holding my nose.
@Snir. If you honestly think Cesc may have quit at 16 and that someone with 5 years left on his contract is not doing wrong by asking for a move then we sing from very different song sheets. If you think I am naive for thinking that then I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I for one find the whole thing very distasteful. We all have dreams my friend. I am sure that both Arshavin and Bendtner do have dreams to play for other clubs. I am sure almost every player in the league would have the same dreams. It is something completely different to attempt to orchestrate such a move with 5 years remaining on your contract. I still have dreams of playing for Barca one day but at 44 and slightly portly I am guessing that my best chance has gone.
@Lars. I have never wanted Cesc to leave. I have watched him develop into a great player and turn into a fine captain in my opinion. I had hoped he would have stayed in that role for several years to come, not act the way he has. Love your analogy re the blonde and the brunette. As the same portly 44 year old to be honest if that situation arose I would just say thank you. But if I ended up with the brunette as you suggest I would be more than happy. Difference is that I would not spend a whole summer telling her how much more I fancied the blonde??????
Crap, Spain winning the tie.. There was a time I used to like them but Barca amkes me hate them with a passion!
@Steve T – I actually think Cesc’s wish to play for Barca is a lot more understandble than Arshavin/Bendtner since he grew up there.
Again, I’m quite certain Cesc didn’t want to move this quick but things changed and I’m quite certain that the financial situation at Barca is making him push for this deal to happen this year and not in 2 or 3 years time.
sajit
I feel exactly the same fella.
tomorrow will be another day of dna quotes, etc….. with gods last touch he created the dutch…….
Well it’s Holland v Spain.
Oranje v Orange growers, juicy final.
Hup Holland Hup!!
Snir. The financial situation is of no concern to me or Arsenal. How they run their business is their concern. Please dont use that as an excuse for the situation or their behaviour. The whole situation is unacceptable in my opinion.
Steve, I’m using it as an excuse for Cesc’s behavior not Barca π
H2H – I’m impressed! Heh.
Anyways – Koscielny looks like a nice lad. A bit like Ramsey. Hopefully, like Ramsey, he’ll have more of a bite than is apparent.
Regarding Cesc, I… Argh. So much to say and thoughts in my head but I’ve just decided to stay far away from it until this transfer window closes. Then I’ll sort out how I feel about it.
Did anyone see this ?
http://thegoonblog.com/2010/07/mark-schwarzer-fails-first-arsenal-medical-passes-second/
I really don’t want a replacement for Almunia that will get injured and make Fabianski play 15 games a season… Really don’t like this, at all.
Holic, you can obviously see that the holics’s opinions about the Cesc saga, from Cesc’s point of view and his behavior are very different. I’d love to get your take on Cesc’s behavior and would love for you to have a post about it (and now is the perfect time after the WC is over, isn’t it π ) ?
Since I am one of the few who has faith in Fabianski (more precisely faith in those who have faith in Fabianski) I won’t complain about Schwarzer being half-crocked. Still 4 millions for him is too much imho. Keep the money for a good new CB instead.
As for the WC it’s kind of a drag not to feel too supportive of the Spain team because they play really well. Without Cesc.
Snir, don’t you have yet another picture of Cesc “happy from the bench” for his team today?
Thank you again Mr Del Bosque…
@Matt – Lol! I’ll look for one ! π
Well, to be honest I really want Spain to lose the final because of the disappointment I’m feeling from them throughout the tournament.
And of course RVP’s presence in the Dutch team.
Snir. If you are making excuses for Cesc then you have really answered all of your own questions. You do not make excuses for correct decisions or the right course of action.
I am one of those that thinks Fabianski has been shocking for us. But what I would say is that I do not think he gets a fair crack of the whip. He plays almost no football until he is all of a sudden asked to play in the first team. I think bringing in someone like Schwarzer for a season ot 2, and sending Fabianski out on loan is the way forward. A season on loan to gain experience and to allow him to play will tell us a lot. Perhaps we will be able to judge him objectively then?
Steve T – You can call it excuse or whatever. I call it “the reason for Cesc’s transfer request sooner than expected”. Good enough :)?
I really don’t think that he’s done something that bad and we all expected this to happen sometime. I don’t think it’s as bad as people make it cause he’s not doing any kind of rebel, he prefers playing for Barca but OK with playing for Arsenal, just like you said, everybody has dreams and he just wants to pursue it, but that doesn’t mean his reality is saddening him that much that he’s desperate to leave.
Steve- I too think that Fabianski needs a loan but if he does stay at number 2 for Schwarzer (who I think if healthy is the best solution until Woj matures enough to be number 1) and Schwarzer get injured quite a lot then there is no difference between this past year and this upcoming year.
Lars @ 51 – brilliant stuff! Trust a Scandinavian though, to boil the whole thing down to naked blondes.
By the way, where are these rooms?
Cheers Toby.
—–
IMHO, I think Schwarzer is a decent keeper and represents a short term soloution to a long term problem.
As I haven’t seen anyone else mention it yet, may I claim a shock exclusive and announce that Koscielny is officially done. No he isn’t injured, yet, but his first interview is up on Arsenal.com.
Apparantly, according to a Polish friend, the correct pronounciation is – Koss – chel – na, so now you know.
Trev:
Trust a Scandinavian though, to boil the whole thing down to naked blondes.
Well, you have to explain things in terms that everybody can relate to π