Kiev Preview Dominated By Captain Cesc
Nov 24th, 2008 by 'holic
You couldn’t escape the wave of excitement that surged across Arsenal sites as the news of Cesc Fabregas’ elevation to the captaincy was confirmed. Arsene Wenger made the brief announcement that greeted a new era for Arsenal Football Club.
“This is a permanent thing. But I don’t think I especially have to explain why. I have given you information but I do not have to explain to you why I make these decisions. This subject is now closed. You have to respect a little bit of the team’s privacy.”
I admire that attempt to draw a line under the events of the last week, but it is unlikely to be the end of the story. When the deposed captain leaves the club you can reasonably assume, given his previous, that his version of events will come to the fore. Let’s worry about that when it happens, be it in January or at some future point.
So, am I pleased by the new appointment? Not being a professional journalist I cannot pretend that I did not suggest last week that Cesc looks in need of a little rejuvenation. Neither can I rewrite my City preview, when I said ‘The armband is likely to go, at least temporarily, to Manuel Almunia. Frankly I would let him keep the job, if he wants it, for the remainder of this season. Clearly the future will be either Cesc or Gael Clichy, but it would be a massive ask to burden one of the younger lads with the job under such circumstances. Let one of them take over next summer and start with a clean sheet.’
I’m sure most understood what I meant by that. There is no doubt that Cesc is the heartbeat of Wengerball mark three. He was probably going to be made captain next summer anyway, and I firmly believe he is the outstanding candidate in the long term.
In the short term however he has a dressing room to unite, a shattered collective confidence to repair, and he has to regain the form that made him our most significant player and a European champion to boot. That is a huge ask of a twenty-one year old, even one as talented as our little Catalan magician.
Anyway, obviously I wish him all the best and hope he goes on to achieve what we have all seen as his destiny. Eventually he will lead this club to silverware, of that I have no doubt. You cannot help but love the little fella when he says “It is a great honour for me to captain one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a proud moment.”
Almost lost in the euphoria that surrounded that appointment was the news that Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby had joined those ‘gone in the fetlock’ for the visit of Dynamo Kiev. The squad is now stretched to the point that at least a couple of the Carling Cup side will be starting this vital Champions League qualifier.
I will avoid naming what I feel will be the side because that will get me into an area of negativity. Suffice it to say I hope Johan Djourou maintains his position in the centre of the defence. I hope that the mobile Jack Wilshere is lined up for a wide role, although I suspect he may not start and once again we will have a clutch of central midfielders. To cap it all I wouldn’t be disappointed if Carlos Vela was picked ahead of the misfiring Robin van Persie.
The exuberance of youth in a couple of key roles may just lift a few heads in the side and those lads would certainly get a little more understanding and patience from the crowd than some of their off-form senior colleagues.
As for the ‘holic pound I cannot even begin to fathom out a potential scoreline, so I’m after the sentimental bet. Cesc Fabregas to open the scoring after leading out his troops is 17/2 at Bet365. Blimey, I’m going to have two quid on that!
Wrap up warm Gooners, and let’s hope I’ll be back with news of Champions League qualification next time.
21 Responses to “Kiev Preview Dominated By Captain Cesc”
Egg nog please barman.
I agree with you about the appointment of Cesc. I don’t think he is right on he pitch and must be mentally exhausted. Maybe the appointment will galvanise him and not break him instead though. Let’s hope eh?
btw, I’ve sent you an e-mail (almost).
cheers
It would have come at the end of the season, but i believe Cesc is going to be an amazing captain. I think the team needed a shake up and this is one of Wengers biggest gambles. If the team is so young arent they going to respond to their young captain better than Gallas who obviously has issues with the youngsters. Cesc is a genius and will lift his game to new heights as captain. Cant wait for tommorow
Let’s hope you are right, frichie. I’m sure you will be. I’m just a cautious old sod!
…and snail, you are a star. Thank you so much. 🙂
I’ll have whatever is the drink of the day, ‘holic.
Yep, agreed on all points.
Can I be the first to say; does this mean we will now play Cescxy Football?
Sorry (hangs head in shame . . . .)
I need a drink . . . .
I think you’ve nailed it nicely, holic. A very challenging balance for such a young man to manage. When he eventually rocks to and fro on his porch, it’s difficult to think that he won’t look back on this moment as one of his biggest ever moments:
– Youngest ever captain of one of the biggest clubs in the world
– Appointed in the storm and embarrassment of the WillieG fiasco
– Potentially having a smouldering WillieG “not helping” in the DR.
– Needing to raise his own game to match his own high standards
– Huge expectations that he and the team will deliver.
Bit melodramatic, but this really has the potential to make or break Cesc’s future with the club. If he hacks this, he truely become one of our all time greats. If he’s dragged down by next summer….well, to tough to contemplate.
Let’s get right behind him. If he’s up for it, so are we.
I believe big Tony was the youngest captain of The Arsenal by a few months on Cesc – still young though is The Cesc
May be just what we need. Appointing Cesc was going to happen at some stage. Why not now? He could well be the link between the established older pros and the youngsters that we have been looking for, with a foot in both camps.
It will be interesting to see Gallas’s performance tomorrow. I do hope that the crowd do not get on his back. I think that if he is given support then he will perform well. Only time will tell as to his long term future. See what happens to the cheque book in January first. I would like to see Ramsey get an outing tomorrow night. I juts think he is about ready to burst on the scene in monstrous proportions.
Keep the faith.
Agreed about Ramsey Steve, but I want to see him play alongside Cesc with Theo and Nasri. They could just bring us back that quickness of attack that is now lacking. I don’t want to see him out of position as one of four, or God forbid five, central midfielders cobbled together to try and get us through a game.
…and yes, I know that doesn’t afford the back four any protection, but they don’t have any now. The key could be to pay Djourou with Toure when everybody is fit, and we will actually be able to defend…
I reiterate what I wrote at another blog site yesterday, we should give Gallas support too and not boo him tonight; what has happened has happened and now the whole team and especially Gallas needs our support. Our defense is very fragile and I still think Gallas-Silvestre is our strongest CB choice at the moment until the very unlikely event that AW decides to spend big on a truly good one. Gavin Hoyte deserves another chance at right back too. Let’s hope this development will convince Cesc to stay beyond next summer although I support it may take more than this token gesture by AW as just as Henry complained about this just before he gave up and left, if we don’t get proper signings soon, Cesc will also give up and move to Barca. Podolsky from Bayern would be a great signing in January by the way. I guess I can dream….
ara re re ra ra ras
fabregas fabregas
ara re re ra ra ras
fabregas fabregas
ara re re ra ra ras
fabregas fabregas
Your misplaced hope in this squad is utterly ridiculous. So are all those “Wenger is King” fanatics. Look – Arsene Wenger is the biggest beneficiary of this Gallas saga goes the pressure was heating up on him and now all we talk about is Gallas. Look the plain truth is that we’re not good enough to win the EPL/CL. Who r we kidding? When was the last time we met Chelsae/Man U and u truly felt confident that we were going to beat them?
This Wenger stubborness is getting to a point of sheer arrogance. I love ARSENAL not Wenger. How long r we going to be sitting around hoping for a miracle when we shouldn’t be needing to? We r a lot of players short of being a championship team – let’s not kid ourselves.
Your misplaced hope in this squad is utterly ridiculous. So are all those “Wenger is King” fanatics. Look – Arsene Wenger is the biggest beneficiary of this Gallas saga.The pressure was heating up on him and now all we talk about is Gallas. Look the plain truth is that we’re not good enough to win the EPL/CL. Who r we kidding? When was the last time we met Chelsae/Man U and u truly felt confident that we were going to beat them? Now we’re are delighted to come out with a draw or sometimes even happy that we “outplayed” them but lost. When did we get here?
This Wenger stubborness is getting to a point of sheer arrogance. I love ARSENAL not Wenger. How long are we going to be sitting around hoping for a miracle during games when we shouldn’t be needing to? We are a lot of players short of being a championship team – let’s not kid ourselves. Almunia,Eboue, Dennilson wouldn’t even get to be on Man United’s bench and yet they’re regular starters to a point of Almunia being named captain sometimes. LUDACRIS!!!!
Wenger must admit this experiment is rubbish and change or we gatto let him know. Unfortunately he’s utterly too arrogant or stupid to admit it. “We have a lot of quality and spirit” (wenger’s post game assesement after a loss). LOL!!
Cheers ppv,
I really needed someone with extensive knowledge of EPL to point out where I have been going wrong.
Forgive me for pointing out the teeniest flaw in your opening paragraph, but we beat Manchester United two weeks ago.
i completely agree saint. i said yesterday that i hope Arsene is right when he says this can be a fresh start for Bill and we as fans getting behind him definitely won hurt him! He is still wearing an arsenal badge on his heart and for that reason alone we need to support him, sell him in the summer if he doesnt get back to his best, but support him now!!!
aaa, i wish i cud be at the emirates tonight!!!
first rule of working with teenagers, put the most liked on in charge.
second rule of working with teenagers, get the one that they like to listen to your ideas and pass them off as his own
third rule of working with teenagers, don’t dance around them, they’ll think you’re an idiot and all old even if you’re only in your late twenties early thirties.
remember this arsene and we’ll win stuff sooner or later!
The squad is very threadbare. I won’t hide that I find this worrying (does anyone know what’s the very latest on Eddie??). On best form I don’t think there is any doubting we are far and away capable of beating Dynamo Kiev and although lately we have not been playing well to our home ‘advantage’, I’m still glad we are at the Grove and hope our form will change for the better tonight. In fact I think it will!
With regards to Cesc, the captaincy is a huge responsibility to put on ANY young man but if there was one individual from the team who I had to nominate to best handle the weight of expectation….it would surely be Cesc. Off course, the cautionary note is that Wenger has definitely taken a gamble…..probably more exposed once again because of not splashing the cash in purchasing a central midfielder and/or central defender back in transfer window when he had more chance.
I’ll go for a 2-1 win for the mighty Gunners……on the end of a killer through ball from the wizardry of Francesc Fabregas Soler!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!!!!!
My lineup for tonite:
Almunia
Djourou-Gallas-Silvestre-Clichy
Ramsey-Cesc-Denilson-Mérida
van Persie-Bendtner
feeling happier today.
fizzy water please holic
While it’s clear that this Arsenal team is not going to win the PL this year, I still think they are a dangerous cup team. We’re a danger in the Champions League, and much like Liverpool’s done in recent seasons, we may now be able to really focus our attention in that direction. (I realize the importance of finish 4th in the League, still, but I still want to keep the goal of bringing home a trophy this season.)
Line-up for tonight will be interesting. I think Ramsey should be on the pitch for sure. I’d love to see Vela start as well.
3-2 Arsenal tonight. Van Persie with a pair…