Arsenal Get Tough On Tapelona As Cole Rumours Gather Pace
Jun 2nd, 2010 by 'holic
“Everybody knows that Cesc wants to sign for Barca and that we also want him to come here.” Barcelona director general Joan Oliver.
We have tapped him up to high heaven and brainwashed him into believing if he doesn’t sign for us now it may not happen in the future.
“I’m optimistic that he’ll be able to sign for Barca as soon as possible and it’s clear that everybody here will give him a warm welcome. We’ll do nothing that might make it more difficult for him to come here and we won’t rush things – but we won’t stop either.” Barcelona vice-president, Rafael Yuste.
Even though some of our fans can’t understand why we want him when we have Xavi and Iniesta they will obviously welcome the return of one of their own and celebrate another example of the mighty Spanish clubs ignoring the rules and attempting to force through a deal, regardless of what that little English club thinks, and free from any sanctions from UEFA. They are in our pocket as long as we say some of the right things as we continue to chirrup away.
“Two years ago, I said Cesc would end up playing for Barcelona, and now it is clearer than ever. It is clear that Cesc will come to Barcelona.” Barcelona puppet, Xavi.
The club have told me I must continue with the job they gave me two years ago to keep pestering Cesc when we got together with the national squad. Iniesta refused. To be honest I am happy because if Cesc does arrive then it will be that whiny little shit Iniesta who will lose his place. He’s a poor diver anyway, not like the rest of us.
“Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is under contract with the Club until the summer of 2015. He is a highly-valued member of the team and part of our future plans.
“We have followed recent speculation linking Cesc with a move away from the Club but as there has never been any official approach for him, only two informal exchanges, in which we made it abundantly clear that we have no interest in transferring Cesc, we have refrained from publicly passing comment. However, yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again that we have no intention of selling our captain.
“To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word.”
Listen very carefully. I shall say this only once. We are not in the position of having a shedload of leveraged debt propping us up, and do not need your pitiful offer to satisfy the interest payments. No matter how many times you arrogantly assert that you will come to our house, and steal our prize possessions, we will courteously show you the door. Yes, senor Burgerstain, that includes you.
The days when Real Madrid and yourselves could flutter your borrowed blood money at us and watch us roll over to have our tummies tickled are over. Do you understand that? Do us the honour of not forcing us to politely decline your offer, again and again.
If you do persist in making public your admiration for our player hereafter I trust UEFA will take action to protect the interests of ALL of the member clubs, not just the privileged two. Our position is now abundantly clear, and a matter of record.
The Joe Cole Rumours Get Stronger
The Metro has now joined the Star on Sunday pushing reports of activity on the Joe Cole to Arsenal front. It does seem likely that something happened yesterday, and the ramblings of a twitchy one just to the north of Manor House has added fuel to the fire.
I continue to wonder exactly where he fits into the Arsenal set-up, but I am now convinced there is more to this story than just speculation and invention. I would be surprised to see any confirmation this side of the World Cup, as suggested by the story, so I guess we will just have to wait and see on this one.
Now, about the goalkeeper and central defenders…
Goonerettes Competition
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Then you need to look here, then get clicking! Good luck to you. Now, where did I put that Kodak Instamatic?
84 Responses to “Arsenal Get Tough On Tapelona As Cole Rumours Gather Pace”
Top top stuff as usual , Holic. Somethign from the tap please.
I actually rate him pretty high but I just hope hes not a replacement for Cesc or Dudu.
If Cole is to sign I would doubt it can be suppressed while we are in the World Cup.I would expect the signing to be announced before the tournament begins-but he still seems more likely as a United target given his wages.
It would be bad news for Rosicky and possibly Arshavin if he signs.
As for Fabregas your comments are spot on.Why do UEFA allow this blatant flouting of the rules by the two big(equally unethical) Spanish clubs?
Cole will be a replacement for arshavin.
I don’t see why you are so high and mighty about barcelona. Cesc wants to play for them not us any more – we can’t keep him against his will that’s not in anyones interests. Its all about the price now. Very sadly indeed, we’ve seen the last of cesc. But good luck to him he’s been brilliant for us. We didn’t invest in the team enough when he has been here to kick on to the enxt level
Well done Holic – informed as usual and balanced as always.
I really am intrigued this year. I do think Cesc was pleasently surprised by his natter with Arsene and I hope he was saying what we all think – that is he is going to sign some real proven class to take us to the next level – all conquering.
I have always liked JC – he can be a magician with the ball at his feet and he is a real competitor. I think he would bring a much needed bolt of energy to the squad. A couple of other saxonish ‘in your faces’ would go well with the continental / South American / African ‘beautiful gamers’. They do not have to be Brits – just Brit like in their application.
If I recall properly – Arsene once said that he had the ideal balance of British work ethic and foreign technique when he had a Seaman, Adams et al and PV 4, DB10, TH14 and others. Me thinks he forgot that over the past few years.
As for Theo – lets hope he has an injury free season. If he can score wonder goals like those v Liverpool and rattle in a hat trick v Croatia he just needs a big slice of self belief and he will be what we all hope he will be. At times though I think he himself is confused between self belief and thinking he needs to fit in with the whole football player thing. He just needs to be himself – a good honest lad – and know he belongs rather than having to fit in. Oh – and work a lot harder.
A pint of Pride please – just a little chilled if you can.
Lovely article. Off to the pub to enjoy a well earned shandy after weeks of catalunyan grubbery. Must say that the Arsenal F C way of telling those barca ballbags to feck the feck off was pure class
Thanks for another wonderful post, its much appreciated. The Joe Cole to Arsenal episode is quite curious, and I for one would be delighted by his arrival, and while the question of where he fits is not obvious at present, I am certain he will add something to our squad. I read a very interesting comment on one of Gunnerblog’s latest posts, saying that its funny how most Arsenal fans are not very enthused by the prospect of signing Cole, yet Man Utd fans whose team is superior to ours (not my words mind!) are getting very excited about the rumors linking him to their club.
Got any Talisker, barkeep? If so, I’ll take it neat if you will.
chinaman we can keep him as he is contracted to us for several more years. i expect if the price is right arsenal will sell him, but barca’s tapping up is pathetic. if they want him just negotiate with arsenal and either pay up or accept they can’t afford him. but to basically say we can’t afford him, but cesc should come anyway is just tapping up as it puts pressure on cesc to ask for a transfer and causes problems in the arsenal dressing room if he isn’t sold.
they should offer a huge ammount which arsenal may consider or fuck off. that’s all there is to it.
PLEASE HOLIC, YOU HAVE COME UP WITH A MOST FITTING NAME FOR THIS TEAM (TAPE-LONA). I THINK GIVEN THE TEAM’S UTTER DISREGARD FOR THE RULES GOVERNING PLAYER CONTRACTS IT’S MOST APPROPRIATE. PLIZ IS IT POSSIBLE TO MAKE IT STICK. BECAUSE THIS MAY JUST BE WHAT’S NEEDED TO MAKE IMBECILES LIKE FIFA/UEFA ETC TAKE NOTICE AND SEE HOW THE REST OF US FEEL ABOUT THIS CLASSLESS SPANISH TEAM. HOPEFULLY ANOTHER ONE WILL SOON BE FOUND FOR IT’S PARTNER IN CRIME REAL MAD-CUNTS.
lol@rafi Is that the Spanish team or UEFA/FIFA/FA you are referring to? could be all of them really eh? Real madcnuts hehe
11th!
DRINK PLEASE
Oh, not just updated now though.
I’ll have a diet coke thanks.
(yes, I know ;P)
Skål Holic …En geting tack!
Today is a good day for a drink.
@BKK: I don’t really understand why people say they can’t see where Joe Cole would fit in if he were to join us (which I, by the way, still don’t think he will). He would fit quite perfectly on both sides of the front three in a 4-3-3 or as a winger in a 4-4-2. He would add competition for places, he would add experience and he is a very good player who, when at the top of his game, is extremely difficult to contain for defenders – the only question mark I can see would be about his fitness, he has been injured quite a bit over the years.
Forgot to place my order – I’ll have a John Smith Extra Smooth, please!
sorry – to clarify, tapelona and real madcunts are the two spanish teams I refer to. and they seem to exploit the lack of action fron uefa and fifa about their actions. and yes the our fa ought to help its own teams otherwise whats the point of its existence.
Beautiful summary, ‘Holic. The Wenger/ Gazidis response reminds me of gunnerblog’s link to the capoeira vs. boxing ‘fight’- for all their prancing, they have been left in the cold (at least for now).
Joe Cole- I like it. It clearly doesn’t distract from our desperate need for a center half and a ‘keeper, but depth in our bench is something I’ve felt we’ve lacked for a couple years, and if we keep everyone (or almost) and bring in a few high quality players, they’re should be no looking back. Adding championships to our style, Arsenal will be the team players are groveling to play for, and the rest can bounce.
Thanks for the pick me up, ‘Holics. Future’s looking brighter every day, eh?
Guinness, please, barman. Thanks.
Seems to be quite a bit of smoke surrounding the Joe Cole-to-Arsenal story, and if I remember correctly Arsene called the prospect of signing him “interesting.” Personally I’d be quite chuffed if it happened, and it meshes with Arsene’s efforts to add championship experience in recent years, with positive (Campbell) and negative (Silvestre) effects. At worst, it gives us another winger who can’t stay fit; at best, Arsene is able to exploit his rather mercurial talent to our benefit. In any case it’s a free transfer, so it’s hardly that great a gamble, is it?
Pint of the black stuff for me please, landlord. Cheers.
Beers?
Hey Chicago, how’s your Jordan statue looking these days? You should throw some Adidas Copas on his feet to make it more interesting…
I doubt we’ve heard the last from the Barcelona people. I expect a savage media campaign to be launched in Spain and this will be designed to ramp up the pressure on Cesc by trying to drive a wedge between him and Arsenal while he is with the Spanish world cup squad. It’s not hard to believe that the British press are aching for this transfer to happen though, apart from the obvious anti-Arsenal bias, I can’t see why they want the PL to be weakened. If ever a situation cried out for the intervention of a football governing body to slap Barca down this is it. But I don’t see it happening at all.
Joe Cole to Arsenal yes please. He will do for us what Merson did!!
I’ll take him on a free.
Pint of your best and whatever your having
Excellent blogging today great reading .. then again everything has been great today. Especially the gentlemans Fuck you too the cuntaloonians. Off course we havent heard the end of this but the club is taken the stance we want Gazidis an Co are working hard on making Arsenal FC an economical powerhouse and for that to happen it has too transpire to the footballfield and this is the attitude we need.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shin Ryujin, Arsenal FC. Arsenal FC said: Arsenal Get Tough On Tapelona As Cole Rumours Gather Pace: “Everybody knows that Cesc wants to sign for Barca and … http://bit.ly/azOx10 […]
Cole…
Well, Well – We might have an englishman in the team for the world cup after all -Hooray!!!
Cesc…
“However, yesterday evening we received an shit, laughable offer from Barcelona for Jesus and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them to fuck off once again that we have no intention of selling our captain.
“To be cuntingly clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion unless Messi is prepared to come the other way. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position (and we expect that they will keep their word) but knowing what a bunch of loud mouthed cunts they really are – we know this won’t happen.”
Is this what they really wanted to say???
Seldom you see such harsh words, with the hint of a silent threat, clad in such a gracious way by Arsenal Football Club. It’s what we’ve come to expect of the Arsenal – A swift and deadly counter-attack.
Now, I don’t think this saga has yet reached its end, mind. Much may still happen this summer, in January and the years leading up to 2015, but this is the best possible response from the management that is possible at this point in time and I will therefore be fully satisfied with it and not think about this anymore for the time being. World cup coming up! Football! Dreams! Possible transfer targets for _us_! I’ll enjoy every minute of it. My soft spot for Spain has grown hard at the moment so I’ll go for the Netherlands as my second team. Persie, attacking football, Arsenal-like in that they will probably get undone in a few careless seconds in an important game, and oh, I love the orange kit.
As much as I want to thank you again, ‘holic, for a great season, there is no summer break for bloggers and I dearly hope that even if you do cut down on the number of blogs, you’ll at least publish one now and then, if for nothing else at least so us lot can stay in touch without feeling outdated (being on drink 974 on a month old post!)
I’ll have some IPA, please.
And Joe Cole.
I think it could be paraphrased even more succinctly, kevnal, as suggested by Chippy over at Arseblog a couple of weeks back.
FUCK OFF!
110,000 a week isn’t that much for a quality player when you consider there is no transfer fee. It would be more or less the same as paying a 9 million transfer fee and 50K a week.
Looking good as ever Pires is King… The whole city is caught up in Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup run that I doubt they’d even notice ; )
@Toby: we most certainly have not heard the last in this tale of a pack of cunts trying to pry our most valued asset from our hands. I expect a veritable shitstorm in the coming days, there will be muppets like Xavi and various presidents talking about Cesc, there will almost certainly be quotes from Cesc being twisted and taken out of context (if not downright made up quotes – that has happened before) and whatnot. And it is a bit funny that the only one at Barca that should really matter in this case, the manager of the team, has to my knowlege not once said that he actually wants Cesc in his team.
Remember, folks – Barca and their allies in the Spanish media will not give up and they will try to drive a wedge between Cesc and Arsenal and between Cesc and us Arsenal supporters. Don’t fall for their lies, get behind the Arsenal and fight the Barca fuckers until they give up.
‘Holic, If Ivan Gazidis ever turns up at this bar, give him a drink of his choice on my tab.
‘Holic, If Ivan Gazidis ever turns up at this bar, give him a drink of his choice on my tab.
One at a time, Lars. I’m stil waiting for the chairman to invite me for that gin and cigar. 😉
You will get it one day Holic.
Long time reader first time poster. Drinks all round and a double johnny walker black and ice for me.
I think Cole if he does come would be a great signing, he has alot of quality and personally I always thought his best position was in the centre were Cesc plays. He was push out to the wings at Chelsea to accomadate Ballack and Essien and to be fair and done a good job but I think he would eb more effective in the middle running at defences taking people on and has a decnt passing range.
Fingers cross Arsenal get him but I think Utd have signed him already….. the wages of €100k per week are a problem but when you factor in the zero transfer fee if balances itself out.
‘Holic, no problems, the next time I’m in London I’ll just go past an offie and buy a bottle of something good and then go to Highbury House and leave it at the reception and ask them to give it to Ivan 🙂
By the way, how do you write in italics and bold and stuff in this bar? Or is that something only you can do?
Holic mate.
Where did you buy your Cuntalanian to English dictionary? Good stuff sir.
Joan (why have I gotta girls name) Olivier and Joan (shit I gotta girl’s name too) Laportaloo can fuck the fuck off.
Pint of Lager for me and whatever you’re having sir.
Cheers.
Don’t forget Trixie, H2H. 😉
Lars, http://ncsu.edu/it/edu/html_trng/basic_commands.html
Go down to section headed boldface and italics.
I’ll leave that to you Maestro….
You never miss a Trixie.
Good job Holic!
Cesc will not be leaving this summer because it’s clear that it’s the C**talans that need him more than he wants to leave; or we wish to let him go at this time.
There are 2 reasons why they are desperately tapping him up now:
Firstly, the arrival of Mourinho to Real Mad has put the s**ts up them and they will struggle to win much domestically next season. Secondly, their short to medium-term financial situation is only going to get worse rather than better as the Spanish economy deteriorates and they will never be able to afford Cesc’s market valuation, or wages, once their creditors bite (remember, they still owe us money for Henry and Hleb!).
It’s been clear for over a week now that Cesc is happy to stay for at least one more year as he still loves Arsenal and remains young enough to fulfil his long-term ambition of playing in La Liga for many years to come whilst still in his professional prime. Once he sees the 4 or 5 signings which Arsene will DEFINETLY MAKE this summer (which i’m sure they recently discussed, and was reassured of, at their “greatest conversation”), the second of which WILL be Joe Cole, he will want to stay to play alongside these experienced winners to develop himself further and to play regular football (which he won’t be guaranteed by the C**talans)!
I can’t wait for next season to show the middle-finger to all the Arsenal doubters, including that increasingly stupid and ignorant Judas, Ian Wright, who seems to think he’s all-knowing when it comes to Arsenal. What’s more, he’s probably only going to get more annoying now that he thinks he’s the dog’s bo***cks cos his son was chosen for South Africa ahead of Theo. What a complete tosser he’s become!
Strength and Honour guys!
These c*nts paid 40 million + Eto’o to get Ibrahimovic. I think if they want Cesc it will be 40 million + Messi.
If the Cole signing comes true, and combining that with Chamakh, does this signify the end of the (very much necessary at the time to keep costs down) youth approach?
If it does…does it prove that Wenger didn’t necessarily want want to have the youth approach, but had to over the last 5 years for the good of the club? Is it coincidence that the sale of the Highbury flats has just cleared off a big chunk of the debt?
It seems to all fit given some of Wenger’s quotes on how we’ve over achieved. He obviously realised that the youth approach seriously weakened the team and to yet continued to qualify for the champs league every year and challenge for the league a couple of times, with his hands tied in that way.
Given that he actually hasn’t spent any money on transfer fees for these two players, we can’t come to that conclusion. Maybe if we do spend some cash this year it will.
Or maybe there just happen to be some good free transfers around this year who actually want to come to us.
Thanks ‘Holic, so it is just standard HTML tags then – that usually isn’t allowed on places like this.
@ArsenalEyes: if you look at the four most recent signings that Arsene has made (Arsjavin, Vermaelen, Sol and Chamakh) they all have in common that they already had experience from league-winning teams, they were established full internationals (or, in the case of Sol, used to be) and had Champions League experience – so I think we are already seeing the youth approach being phased out.
‘Holic, well said – it’s pretty much what I was trying to say in the drinks in the last blog, but then I started on these vodka and red bulls…… 🙂
Joe Cole would add quality and depth to the squad. Be happy to see him go at Rosicky’s expense. Won’t believe it till its on the official web site though.
Great rant `Holic. The saga is far from over yet despite Arsenal wishes but my money is firmly on Cesc playing for us next season.
As for Joe Cole I’m not so sure what to think but I doubt he can’t find a better offer than 80K/week. Perhaps he really loves Arsenal after all.
Anyway I’m glad to know success is making you more marketing-savvy. After the name-dropping blog from a couple of days ago now we’re served a hint of erotism with the Goonerettes thingy. Way to go if I may say. Not that I mind a dusty memory from before color cameras from time to time but it’s good to know you’re embracing the 21st century too 😉
PS: Can’t resist that one. Chinaman @4: Also, Dude, chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. Asian-American, please.
We might have his signature- but Barca has his mind. I reckon Arsene will try to milk what he can out of this- and get 12 months loan and option on their Ukrainan defender-and a transfer of Cesc in 12 months for 30 m and the balance. That might suit all parties. Because Barca dont need him. Joke Hole would be a great signing if it happens- a kind of Freddie L. Arshavin wont be leaving-this year at least.
Great post ‘holic
Shame a club that play such nice football are so filthy in their manners. I especially loved
“The days when Real Madrid and yourselves could flutter your borrowed blood money at us and watch us roll over to have our tummies tickled are over”
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…a huge shift of power in European football is taking place. It caught up with the banks and will do the same with the clubs. We’re not Northern Rock!
The youth approach isn’t being faded out at all, nor is/has it failing/failed, but has actually over-achieved by keeping us ticking-over at a very competitive level over the past 5-6 years, and is well ahead of schedule (remember that it has taken Barcelona nearly two decades to get to where they are now with their youth system and they’ve always had more money and facilities than us!).
Arsene has always explained to us what he has been doing and why he had to do it over the past 6 years. But he can now restart the approach he employed when he first arrived now that there is money to spend and there are no more big financial constraints.
The free transfers that he is picking up are not as cheap as people think as the wages and contractual bonuses of these players (particularly Joe Cole) will be accordingly higher, however, they will still be good value as there will be a big saving on the transfer fee (very simple economics really!).
What Arsene will now do is what the C**talans have been doing for the past few years; i.e. buying expensive experience when required to compliment the cheaper youth conveyor-belt that he has now established! No other team in the EPL and Europe (and i include Barcelona in that) will soon be able to compete with our hugely international scouting network and they will just have to keep spending big money (which they increasingly will not have) on transfers to buy players at inflated prices (possibly from us too!) to compete whilst we will just keep bringing in our talented youngsters (more and more of which will be British) to now play with the experience that he will once again be able to buy and pay the wages of.
The future’s massively bright guys, and with or without Cesc too!
@Matt – he’s not talking about the guys who built the railway.
Did anyone watch Serbia Poland in which Fabianski made some great saves?
@Beardy – That was a quote from the Great Lebowski which I can’t recommend enough if you haven’t watched it already.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118715/quotes
Fabianski has a brother in the Poland squad?
33m had to be a joke, right?
@Matt that was what I was trying to get at – I guess my memory couldn’t muster the verbatim response. Suffice to say that if Ralph’s ever opens a store in Hackney I’ll be paying for my milk by cheque.
I find it highly amusing to see so many people getting excited about Joe Cole joining Arsenal. Even more so when it comes from those who kept:
– saying “we all know” that we need 1 GK, 2 CBs and 1 DM
– complaining about Rosicki and RvP being always crocked
Not that I think they’re all wrong mind you but there are many better ways to improve the team than getting Joe Cole, be it on a free.
@Tim Merrick (52): No no, it’s our own Lukasz. No twin brother invoved. Just mentioning it since I am among the few who believe Arsene, Cecs, Rice and Seaman know what they are talking about when they say he has everything of a top drawer keeper.
@ Beardy :))
Bartender, a white russian for us tonight then.
@ Tim 52: I’ll buy your next drink for that one!
Ah, ‘holics.
Went to Tesco today and loaded the boot (trunk for our Merkan friends!) with Guinness at £16 for 20 cans.
Problem is it evaporates quicker in this weather 🙁
What a deal! Nice find, ‘Holic. No Tesco in California, I’m afraid.
Lucky the local barman’s my homie (as we say out here)! The pour a nice pint, Mr. Holic, and if you ever make it this way, you’ll be taken care of for sure.
Damn close once or twice, pires.
Company was once based in Menlo Park. Nowadays not likely to get out that way.
Not that I want to be that far away from my beloved Arse anyway 😉
Lars @ 14 – Joe Cole being injured quite a lot in the last few years – is not a problem. For this team, it is an absolute requirement.
Reference the UEFA/FIFA intervention on Barcelona – how do these authorities (in the loosest possible sense of the word) manage to take action against agents, albeit occasionally, who could never break the rules more blatantly if they tried, and yet they pay no attention to two of the world’s biggest clubs doing exactly the same thing.
I mentioned in the drinks to an earlier post, on this subject, that i sent an email to UEFA – sort of just for fun – asking why Eduardo was so mercilessly pursued after his “dive” when far worse offenders were totally ignored.
Their response was a list of job opportunities available at UEFA HQ.
So don’t expect any kind of coherent action over the highly favoured Barcelona.
Toby @ 28 – totally agree. These ‘Holic posts are eagerly anticipated any time, and when there are no matches to attend and no ‘Arsenal mates’ to chat to, they are a great way of keeping in touch with Arsenal fans and opinions.
One for yourself, barman.
Cheers Trev, but I think I am done for one day.
Come back in about seven hours when I will publish the solution to this issue.
Would I lie to you?
Edit, Yes I would. I knew if I slept on it I would realise it was a bad idea this morning 😉
i just couldnt resist.
Joe Cole is the finest piece of business you will see this semester
Chamakh is all set to explode.
Gourcuff will reunite with his brother from Bordeaux
Someone is finally all set to win a title.
Van Persie, Arshavin, Song, Verma, Clichy, Sagna hold the key!
Gourcuff, Cole, Hangelaand, Chamakh, Lloris/Akinfeev/Frey/Buffon will help us use the key and finally unlock the door.
I think that both Cesc’s statements in that press conference (and the fact that he declined a move to anywhere but his home) and Arsenal’s statements on arsenal.com have been pure class.
That’s how we should act.
Well done Arsenal!
What an article…..its time to tell Laporta & his gay partner xavi to count their balls………………lick each other’s pussy at shitbarca…….
@DV: The youth approach isn’t being faded out at all, nor is/has it failing/failed, but has actually over-achieved by keeping us ticking-over at a very competitive level over the past 5-6 years
But don’t get the youth approach confused with having an academy that produces players. Those are two different things. The academy hasn’t really produced that many players for the first team yet, and it is only now that we are beginning to see the long-term effects of the youth setup that Wenger started building some ten years ago, and we have players like Jack Wilshere, Craig Eastmond, Henri Lansbury and others who are starting to show real promise. The experienced players will also help the younger ones make the transition from youth footie to the top level.
So, having a first team built with almost exclusively inexperienced players is being phased out, but the academy is stronger and, especially considering the new rules about home-grown quotas, more important than ever.
Been thinking some more about Arsenals statement yesterday and its the first time in a good few years that ive been proud of something thats come out from the bigwigs upstairs,
Whoever was behind its wording im guessing Gazidis and a Lawyer lol deserve great credit for showing them Barca fuckwits we are not going to dance to their tune on this and they couldnt have worded it more strongly but whilst showing the class this club used to be synonymous with.For that i take my hat of to them,
Should have added ” so please Fucking do one ” and we counter your offer for cesc with one for Messi of “£1.99 and an onion ring ” at the end but we cannot have everything !!
An early morning London Pride if you will Barman 😉
Up The Arse,
@Lars,
To name it a “youth project” or “an academy” is actually academic and pedantic as i consider both to be the same thing; both have, and will continue to, produce newer, younger players that will forever now play the new Arsenal way.
Arsene, and i for another, would have celebrated greatly if a team made up primarily of these youth/academy players (regardless of which country they originate from) had won a major trophy (i.e. the premiership or champions league) in the past 6 years as that would have been unexpected (NB. No other team, aside from Ajax mainly and possibly ManU with the help of Cantona and Keane in the early 90s when the premiership was much weaker and easier to win, would have achieved that in modern football).
However, what the past 6 years has shown Arsene, and i for another, is that it CAN happen and the “youth project” WILL SUCCEED as these youngsters continue to grow and become the senior and experienced players.
Good morning Holic & Holic`s
@Chippy my thoughts exactly, the bit about the onion ring, classic !
The bid by slimyalona was only for the sake of cesc nothing else. For up until this time its been all talk were Arsenal could turn to cesc and say no offer has been made and in that cesc really couldnt be upset. So a token bid ( and let me make it clear thats all it was ) has been offered. So they can go back to cesc and say we tried, now its upto you to hand in a transfer request and tell Wenger that you never want to play for Arsenal ever again.
A very transparent ploy by wormyalona, get cesc as angry as possible to drive the price down. Shitcuntalona know what they are doing and I am pleased to say following the statement from Arsenal ” nice try you sack of shit” There will be no cut price players here now fuck off !
You have to laugh or you would cry about how pathetic bottomfeederalona really are. They may think that they are as cunning as a fox who has just been apointed as a proffesor of cunning at Oxford university but they are not. In no uncertain terms they have been told by Arsenal go forth and multiply.
We should tell them that if that 35m euro`s is burning a hole in their pocket Almunia is willing to play for them as he is spainish and by the law of wasteofspacealona must have their DNA.
Good old El Mundo Deportivo have gone into overdrive today:
http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/20100603/53939016469/noticia/cesc-toma-las-riendas-de-su-fichaje-hacia-el-barsa.html
“Cesc takes the reins to force through his move to Barca!”
“Barca have set a cap of 45m euros for this deal, with add ons depending on trophies won” they must be having a laugh if they think Arsenal will accept anything like that
“Cesc was monumentally angry that Arsenal had turned down the bid” total bullshit
what a load of old bollocks
Arsenal1971,
Love it mate especially the blackadder bit comedy gold !
Your take on whats coming could well be spot on, Barca will play it exactly as youve fortold but its in Cescs court now, Me i think he has a bit more about him than many footballers of modern times and wouldnt lower himself to a tabloid war but the truth will out i guess, I do still think he has an affinity with this club and if he is to stay will give his all,
The other thing that statement did was bring the different factions of the fanbase together for the first time in a long while, Its amazing what positive PR can bring to the club, I know weve always been silent on many things but recently theyve retreated so far into the Abys i was wondering if anyone actually worked at the club anymore 🙂
thebeast,
Thats what happens when you have papers run by clubs same as Marca with regards Real,
They are the un official shit stiring slags employed by the clubs, Love the way it says a cap of 45million euros! wankers,
I used to respect Barca and what they stood for and against now i hate them as much if not more than Real ,theyve lowered themselves to doing things in the same way as the capitals club and thats a shame,
@DC: first of all, aplogies for inadvertently calling you DV in my last post.
And also, I wish to make it clear that I do not think the last few years have been a failure in any way because very few managers would have pulled off what Wenger has at the Arsenal. But given the choice, I think Arsene would have preferred to have a couple more experienced players to help the younger players find their feet a bit quicker.
I also agree completely that a league title or winning the CL with one of these very young teams would have been an absolutely marvellous thing. And yes, the youth policy will be a success in the long run because once we start adding truly home-grown (i.e. players born and raised in London) the team will grow a whole lot stronger, so in essence I think we have more or less the same opinion on this whole matter.
chippy, expect a whole lot more in the days to come. The maggots the run the coward bully that goes by the name of Barcelona will not give up and quite frankly, I expect that they won’t stop even if Cesc is still an Arsenal player after the transfer window has closed.
As I said yesterday, we have by no means seen the end of this and I for one still don’t see it as certain that Cesc will remain an Arsenal player for the next season – but my hope has certainly gone up since that wonderfully worded statement by the club.
Articulately put ‘holic….adios Barca
Chippy
Blackadder pure comedy genius !
I agree with you i also think Cesc will have more about him than the usual spoilt prats that pass for players these days. He for the best part has kept his own council and not gone running to the press crying woe is me.
He had a long disscusion with the boss prior to leaving for the WC which he claimed to be the best conversation of his life, I dont see that talk being of when Arsene will sell him, more along the lines of stay Cesc and we can conquer europe with the players comming in.
The press seem to think this is a game of cat and mouse between the two clubs, but if any sat down and read the statement from arsenal they should know that the club mean business and no means no !
I also agree that all the fans are backing the club and are delighted that we have no entension of bending when it comes to cesc. The club has been very dignified in its response to this saga and have made barca out to be bully who thinks that there name alone should send shock waves through the footballing world.
Check your history barca we are not a small club who will be intimidated by your bully boy tactics, we dont need or want your money. So piece together your little smashed piggy bank and look alse where.
@ Lars,
I agree and our view-point and analyses do appear to be similar.
Now that Arsene has the money that he hasn’t had for some time, whilst he’s been building the long-term foundations of our club for the future, he can now go back to his previous policy of buying the experience that i’m sure he’s sorely desired.
He’s probably even more optimistic than he could ever have thought possible at this time because he now sees that we will never ever really have to buy too many players for stupid money again as the standard of the youth players coming through is only going to improve accordingly. What’s more, the English youngsters that are at the club, and will join in the future, will be forced to work harder and be more professional if they are to compete at our soon-to-be prolific winning club; and that can only be a good thing for them, for Arsenal and for all the national sides in the UK.
Too drunk to comment
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2565/exclusives/2010/06/03/1956393/stressed-fabregas-examining-legal-options-to-push-through
hmmm, I’d like to think this Webster ruling thing is complete shite…surely the contract he signed last year was a new contract was a new contract, and not a “topping up” of his old one? This story does have the whiff of some sweaty old bollocks
Ashburton Perry,
That’s a good boy.
@79 – the beast: Cesc signed a new contract last year but the article’s author is using his older contract as the basis for his speculation. As it stands today Cesc cannot buy himself out in the first year of his contract.
We hold the aces. Barca will have to splash the dough or shut up.
“He’s a poor diver anyway, not like the rest of us.”
Haha, I thought nobody had noticed that half of Barca’s team dives regularly xD
Busquets is definitely the worst, but Alves and Messi are both quite bad too.
Slight fuzz on with the beer and a couple of glasses of plonk – but it is all becoming clear now.
This is our defining moment – Cesc is going nowhere – we stop the bleading of our best talent and start building The Arsenal in to an aristocrat of the global game.
This is the time we say no more. Cesc is our and stays our and we keep building our team around, He is our captain and leads our lads.
Come on you Gunners!
One more Holic and that’s me lot!
Personally having lots of fun out here with my Barca supporting family. “but Cesc WANTS to come” they bleat…. “And?” I ask.. “erm….”. They reply.
I have no idea if he will go or not, but at least if he does it will be on our terms. I don’t think it will be a problem if he stays re commitment. He is a professional – witness the penalty he slammed in against a club he wants to join. No messing around.
If he goes then we will have even more money and as long as it wisely spent, as Lars and DC et al have already spelt out then the future really is exciting.
Overall it looks pretty win-win to me.
On another note – the market is all pretty quiet isn’t it? Only a few days in I know, but…
Early morning cava to wet the whistle please ‘holic.