Barca might want you, but Arsenal need and love you, and that is all you need!
Cesc, did you read Sandro Rosell’s comment regarding your possible transfer last week: “let things run their course and hope they go in our favour”? How do you feel about Barca’s unwillingness to meet Arsenal’s apparantly more than reasonable asking price of £40m in one go? Barcelona seem to be in no rush whats-o-ever to sign you, to make you part of their team in this crucial period of preparation for the new season, and why so? Maybe, because they only want you, but do not really need you, and certainly do not seem to love you – like really, really love you. You know what I mean: that sort of possessive, mad love that makes people jump through seemingly impossible hoops to get you, to make you theirs: to do whatever needs to be done, pay the necessary price and subsequent sacrifices, so they can bring you back home where you once belonged.
I read somewhere recently, I think it was in ‘Fraction of the Whole’ by Steve Toltz, that once you actively take a distance from certain people, they will soon double that distance between you and them. This, I find very true and you might well find, Cesc, that the people of Barcelona have also doubled the distance that you once decided to take from them, when you decided to leave your hometown and –club. At Arsenal, you are not only wanted, but also needed and loved. That is three out of three – it does not get any better than that: can you say the same about Barcelona?
What you have done for this club is immense, from a sporting point of view, but also from a gentleman’s point of view.You have handled this situation impeccably: you made it clear you would like to return to Barcelona, and we the fans understand this: how could we deny a man such a wish?! You always behaved with restraint, full of respect for the club and the fans. In this day and age, it is heart-warming to see such behaviour, and whatever you will decide to do you will always have a place in the hearts of the fans.
But Cesc, you are so close to success with Wenger’s latest version of Total Football. Patience is running thin, understandably so. We are all frustrated to have been so close to silverware last season, and yet it all slipped away, again. But, Vermaelen is back, Ramsey is back, Wilshire is fully rested and ready for battle again, and so are Song, Koscielny, Djourou, Arshavin, Sagna, Theo, Chamakh, Robin, Szczesny, and maybe Nasri as well. Wenger has promised to strengthen further our defence, and seems to be keen to buy one or two wingers to add some more bite to our team. Gervinho has just been confirmed as our latest new signing – who looks like a winger to me – and Wenger has said that he will add one or two more players this summer.
Cesc, you should be part of the impending successes, you should be the leader of the last push towards cups and accolades: if you stay with us, you could be on your way to football-immortality.
If you do decide to go, then your decision will be respected. But please Cesc, give it one more thought and do not only think about what you are likely to gain back home, but also what you are likely to lose. Arsenal will make the final push, sooner or later, with or without you. But you deserve to be part of this: you worked so hard for it during the last seven years. Leaving Arsenal now, could become the biggest regret of your life.
TotalArsenal.
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Finally something worth reading…great post…kudos
cesc don’t leave us,don’t leave us please.we love so much.arsenal try very hard and give whatever cesc wants to stay and buy more players likely more experieced in defence.born agonner
Well thought that just true i can’t agree more. Arsenal will have mojor success this year watch the space we came so close last year it slept away at last minute i think the boys have learn from their mistake and wont repeat the same mistake twice. they have matured enough i m certain and will play exiting brand of football wich will be omortalised.
I say…top hole old boy!!
Can someone pass this letter to Cesc??? he should b reading this…. sick of how “booscerlona” approach him…. using the friendship of spain players to drag him over!!!
TA – you made me cry….will you really send it to El Capitan? I think you should
Good. But please write same letter to Wenger and let him know we are not asking him to buy the MANCITY way but to buy the needful for our leaky defence. One very good Center back and defensive midfielder. And since we are selling NICK and Clichy, nothing stops us from replacing them with better players and not potentials.
To me, Wenger is to blame for all the good players wanting out. We seem to pay too much for mediocres while claiming prudency. We can get rid of Almunia,Diaby, Denilson, squillasci and Nicky B and replace them with quality but he wont do that and even if he does he will replace them same way he is about to replace Clichy with Gibs.
We are decieving ourselves thinking “wenger knows”. To me he has lost the plot and we need a new begining. Everyone sees what is wrong with Arsenal except him. He plays same tactics against all opponents and expect miracles to happen.
All of us kept on saying next season like we have not had similar issues for over six years. The signs are there for all to see and i am not expecting a change in the mental sttength of the same sets of weak players.
We may even lose RVP and Arshavin next season. We are more of a feeder club.
Thats waht Wenger wants and what the board enjoys.
Pls send this letter to cesc
I lov ur cornment,let him disand
I love this.
Hopefully Cesc will read it! Not only has Wenger created a team of amazing talent but he has stuck to his honour. How many managers can say the same? I believe Guardiola is an honourable man. He seems to distance himself from the crap that goes on at board level at Barca.
We know what an acheivement we have made at Arsenal. Barcelona have done even better, but we are close and we have not amounted huge debt like them.
We do love Cesc, I am sure as he gets older he realises more and more that the easy option isn’t always the best option.
He has the chance to make the 2nd best club in the world the best club in the world. That would be some acheivement with the philosphy of Wenger behind it and total football being played.
Viva El Capitan!
Nice one TA
Let’s hope El Capitan reads it.
Hi JimmyA, you are right: what seems to be the easy option is not always the best. If there was a clear vacancy for Cesc at Barca now, I would understand why he would want to leave. But there is not one at the moment, so why not finish the job here in the meantime…
Evonne, thanks. Maybe it will reach him through twitter 😛
Imagine how he would feel if he left, spent a season at Barca as a bit part player and we went on to win the EPL…
It might be an idea to write to bankrupt Barcelona and tell them we are sick of their infantile efforts to buy Cesc below market value and either pay the proper price up front or f*** off!
Slightly (but not entirely) off topic, but how come the story that Nasri won’t be going to ManUre is being written up as a case of “Fergie mind games” and ” sly Ferguson” etc etc.
You just know that if we had been linked with, say, Tevez and it became clear there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in he’ll of him joining us, it would written up as a snub to Arsenal and AW.
Once again, Fleet Street’s preconceived agenda, in which everyone has been allotted their place as hero, villain or fool, wins the day.
I hope they all close down.
Ahmeed, Wenger is going to stay whether you like it or not. Now it is time to get behind the team and the manager again, however sceptical some of us are. We need unity and believe in our ability to make the final push. Let’s see what happens during the remaining 50 days of this transfer window.
great post……im glad someone thinks the same as me…all i seem to be reading from gooners is sell cesc and reinvest but they forget he has practically carried arsenal for the last 5 seasons. yes he had a quiet season last year but after a world cup that can happen. He is still one of the best midfielders in the world and one we need if were gonna push on.
We need to let Cesc go , try the game revolving around Jack and Aaaron we need a big centre half to dominate ,maybe Samba ,Craig Gordon good goalie , and a proven goalscorer that gets stuck in , Cahill perhaps..
Rocky, thanks. You are spot on re Fleet Street’s bias towards SAF. Best not to read any of their cr*p.
Are you planning to come over to the UK soon to see the mighty Arse?
Hi TA
Have renewed my season ticket (my son is going to use it most of the time) but hope to get over for a couple of games early in the season.
tiny, yep he is one of the best and yes, he had a relatively quiet season, predominantly caused by his hamstring problems.
hec, we still need Cesc to guide Jack and Aaron through, but agree with you that they are the future.
Respect TA
A very classy post, very enjoyable.
Morning TA,
Heartfelt post, I would imagine that Cesc is disappointed at the low value Barca place on his services. I have heard that in a poll of Barca fans that Cesc is not that popular, they will never appreciate him as much as Arsenal supporters.
I do hope Cesc gets to read this. Great post. Read sometimes over the weekend when Neymer’s agent claimed that Barca have approched his player without his knowledge. I think its high time something is done to this debt ridden club. I wonder how they win so much every year but are still in great debt. Lack of good management. Is there where Cesc want to go now. Please stay and give just one more year to Arsenal. Samir, please commit to Arsenal too.
Yes, I’m sure Cesc feels slighted because Barca are trying to pay a fair price for a player they developed themselves…This letter has the authenticity of a kid’s christmas list to Santa Claus
FCBarca,
Don’t begin to think you can occupy the moral high ground when it comes to transfer dealings, your club has plumbed new depths in that regard in recent seasons.
Perhaps your financially challenged club should spend more time earning the money for a fair price rather than embarrassing themselves with childish antics from their players tapping up Cesc.
Sorry this letter is sooo good i had to send it to Cesc via twitter and hope he reads it. I would appreciate if every1 does the same :). WHAT A GREAT LETTER WOOOOW
Fans crying about finances and matters they have neither any understanding of nor involvement in, precious really
Denial is all I can conclude when the manager himself confirms the player wants to return home
He’s ‘needed’ & ‘loved’ here but not back home where it all began, eh?…Delusional
I’m not a Twitterererer but I think anyone who is should follow Djofils’ example…
FC Barcarole
Your team plays good football but your club is an embarrassment to the game and everyone outside your blinkered circle knows it.
Come back when you can afford Cesc. Probably won’t be for quite some time…
You can’t afford him FCBarca, get real and stop bitching about it on here.
You’re the one who is delusional if you think we are remotely interested in the views of a supporter of such a financially and morally corrupt club.
If I thought the fans had anything remotely to do with a transfer, then sure, I’d say not a chance on Cesc…But, since we live in the real adult world, I’d say good luck with wishing/hoping/praying that the player stays
He wants to come back home
Written like a true Spaniard – not …… email address FcukBsuh – very grown up!
No, my idea of being grown up is writing a letter to a footballer to convince him to stay at a club he’d rather not stay at…Like I said, better chance of having an impact by sending a letter to Santa
Great post, TA.
I have followed Djofils’ example re twitter.
The definition of irony……. those quick to suggest Wenger ‘spends some money’ are now accusing him of financial imprudence regarding the Nasri + last year of his contract situation. 🙂
Football was so much easier when we knew sod-all about the finances, players’ wages etc.
OK FCBarca, make that your last comment on here. You’re just repeating yourself and it was boring the first time.
Rasp, I don’t think publishing an email address is a good idea.
chas, its a false address, I wouldn’t have published it otherwise. Very few of the abusive/argumentative bloggers use real addresses, its a measure of their cowardice.
“if you stay with us, you could be on your way to football-immortality”, seriously?…What immortality is that?…Being trophyless?
Only footballing immortality I can see currently is the Barca hegemony atm, I am quite certain if there is any immortality for the player it’d be returning to his original club
The player has reached his playing plateau with Arsenal and the only way it elevates is playing with better players and his idol, Pep…Guardiola will improve his game much the same way he has for all the cantera players
Oh right, fair enough. I was just thinking FcukBsuh@ would have been sufficient to make your point.
And actually, Rasp, that wasn’t a false address…But by all means, attempt to silence conflicting opinions seeing that reality is not your intended environment here judging by the fantasy you’re espousing
FCBarca, this is an Arsenal blog. We will allow constructive debate from opposition fans but not relentless repetition.
I’m sure there are many Barcelona sites that offer a platform for your understandably biased views but don’t expect us to give you carte blanche to air your Barca propaganda on here.
FcBarca, please don’t tell me Santa does not exist 😦
Sorry, TotalArsenal, Santa will not be bringing you a Gunner kit of Cesc this Xmas
I read nonsensical commentaries that incredibly suggests that Cesc is neither loved, valued or needed at Barca and I’ll respond…If it’s debate you’re fearful of, by all means, you should conduct these sort of conversations in private rather than in a blog
But, hey, you wouldn’t be the first to be averse to actually having an open discussion
Where did I claim I lived in Barcelona or Spain, btw?
Barcelona just want to get Cesc for free and they don’t really him like the media is claiming.Had they wanted him so bad,they would not hesitate to part with atleast 40mil.Cesc should remain at Arsenal,we’re close to winning something and without him,it will be harder.I love love Cest Fabregas,loyal fan.
FCBarca,
I give up on you.
You say that we are not open to discussion and yet every comment you have placed has been published as written – how’s that stifling debate?
We’ve all told you we don’t agree and still you continue to bang away. Learn some manners. You are a guest on here and are exhibiting the same lack of class as the club you claim to support.
Pls tell Cesc that he is a barca fan but he is born to be a GUNNER.
Dad – Son we have to sit down and talk
Son – Oh no Dad not again
The first time we talked you told me there was no Easter Bunny
The next time to told me there was no Tooth Fairy
Then you told me there was no Santa
If you’re going to tell me there is no such thing as sex there will be nothing left that’s worth living for.
Oops messed it up the first time, old age, failing memory.
Here’s how is should have read.
Dad – Son we have to sit down and talk about the birds and bees
Son – Oh no Dad not another talk
The first time we talked you told me there was no Easter Bunny
The next time to told me there was no Tooth Fairy
Then you told me there was no Santa
If you’re going to tell me there is no such thing as sex there will be nothing left that’s worth living for.
Dad – Son we have to sit down and talk
Son – Oh no Dad not again
The first time we talked you told me there was no Easter Bunny
The next time to told me there was no Tooth Fairy
Then you told me there was no Santa
If you’re going to tell me there is no such thing as sex there will be nothing left that’s worth living for.
this fellow fan (fcbarca) is like most of barcelona armchair fans in my country, they’re just a bunch of classless wanker & glory hunter.
This Cesc saga has started because the player himself said in an interview that ‘if he were ever to lease Arsenal it would be for Barca’ that’s it nothing more than that. The press had a frenzy, one Barca player after another said publically we want Cesc etc. None of us know the conversation that followed between AW and Cesc but he remained and will remain an Arsenal player. Barca maybe his home but Arsenal also means something to Cesc that much is clear with how he has handled himself during this saga. I have reluctantly read all the articles via all sources of the crisis at Arsenal, now as fans we can turn it into a crisis or do what we will do in 30 or 40 years time and that is support Arsenal FC. I am in it for life.
FcBarca, every season ‘your’ team feel the need to do some holiday and Christmas shopping. This is mostly not because you need these players, but simply because you want to show the rest of Spain and the world that you can get anything you like. What was that nonsense with Ibrahimovic a few seasons ago: utter embarrassment for your club. Why did you need to buy Hleb and recently Affelay, and there are more examples: you suffocate these talents by hardly or not using them, but like a spoilt brat you feel good about yourself because you can attract and own them, without needing or respecting them.
Are you telling me that Cesc will get more than a handful of starts if he were to join you now? Seriously? You are delusional mate. He would have to hope for a bad injury to your central midfielders, or one being sold at one point. Until then he mainly will rot away on the bench, realising what a bad mistake he has made. In a few years time, when there is a real vacancy he should maybe go, for now let him play for a real club who love football and have no pretentions about their own grandeur. Show some respect and humility in your future comments or sod off.
Thanks Chas, btw I really enjoyed your recent video contributions. The fans singing (yesterday) and of course the Nigella clips. Quelle Femme, she is!!
Hi kelsey,
That’s interesting, but hardly definitive. It still remains that they are happy to offer the asking price for Sanchez but want Cesc on the cheap – why? Is it just because they know Barca is the only club Cesc will leave arsenal for or is it really because they do not need him for the timebeing and it is just a bit of mischievous PR designed to deflect attention from other matters.
I don’t believe anything I read/hear about clubs buying power/debt as their actions invariably seem to defy the economics.
No probs, TA. Here are some pics from JW. The tour is going down a bomb!
http://yfrog.com/kin9wezj
http://yfrog.com/kifqnmcj
http://yfrog.com/kisrdyjj
plus some singing from yesterday’s meet and greet
Afternoon you Good People, 🙂
Excellent Post TA, you are keeping up your remarkable standard. Well done!
I have a sense of deja vue returning after a short semester.
First we have appreciative Arsenal fans responding to an upbeat Arsenal Post, and then up pops the obligatory plastic/armchair Barca supporter, wallowing in ersatz pride, who has probably never been to their stadium, and who is objectionable from the start, but laughably then cries foul because he is not allowed to comment …… despite the obvious flaw in his comment, as he has bored the arses off us by repeating his moronic viewpoint.
I know Rasper …… yellow card for being abusive. 🙂
See, I told you I had a sense of deja vue ….. deja vue …… deja vue!
Welcome back, RA. 🙂
Hope you are well. It wasn’t the same without you.
Red Arse,
Where have you been? We’ve all been worried sick about you. You must have multiple emails waiting in your inbox from concerned AA’ers.
Anyway, it’s a great relief you’re OK and in fine form I can see 😛
Red Arse, is it really you?!?! Great to see you back 🙂 🙂
TotalArsenal- what a cracking heartfelt and wise post. Love it! I also absolutely love the Malaysian fans enthusiasm and chanting that chas posted up a while ago- Gold!
Thanks for the praise Carlito 🙂 What are you up to at the moment?
Working my socks off during the day and trying to meet all the friends I haven’t seen much of with wedding and honeymoon having taken up loads of the winter. Steering clear of saying much about my beloved club until the ink dries on the signings in and out. I will say this though- Ryo is going to be dynamite once he settles in- a far more exciting prospect than Walcott was at that age…
Thanks for the welcome, TA, Rasper, Chas. Much appreciated! 🙂
Sorry for the delay in replying guys. My laptop decided to ‘defragment’, or something, immediately after I posted my comment.
Good to be back. had a short trip to Yankee land for another check up/opinion. Everything seems fine, just needs more time, so I am trying to be patient.
Impossible!! 🙂
Hope to be back later to chat to you all. 🙂
That makes sense Carlito and I hope you are right re Ryo 🙂
Great news RA, chat to you later!
RA – this is bad, really bad of you to feck off without a word; we were truly worried!!!!!! Bad boy Red Arse
GiE tried to google ‘Red Arse’ and was redirected to some dodgy sites!!
Hooray – Redders is back
Fantastic post. Why would cesc want to leave us for that bunch of chavvy sluts.
RockyLives…What’s the weather likely to be like in 2 weeks? (Niagara)
We aren’t going to jump through hoops because we don’t really need Fabregas. He’s a vanity purchase. Both Thiago and Afellay can do what Fabregas does.
But our new president, Sandro Rosell, wants to do what his predecessor, Joan Laporta, couldn’t. This makes us a bit silly, but not crazy, which means we aren’t going to pay 45m for him. If that’s the real number, he’ll be staying at Arsenal.
As for the chance to be part of something big, I’m sure that Wenger has been using that one to keep him content. I’d think, after watching Arsenal last season, that the real way to show intent would be to sign a real striker (meaning, not a Lurch or a freebie … Tevez, perhaps?) and two veteran defenders. Though a massive prat, Gallas was a loss for your side.
Six years without silver is a lot to ask for a player who sees his contemporaries bask in the glow of trophy after trophy. Will Fabregas leave? No, because we won’t pay your price. And this is good, because I don’t want him to come even more than Gunners don’t want him to leave. To my view, he’s a player who signed a long-term deal to insure security, now wants to scuttle down the rat lines to a better sporting place, without coming out and saying so.
He made his bed, now he should try to make it properly.
Kxevin,
Thanks for your comment which I read as being far closer to the truth than the picture painted by some of your fellow supporters. We prefer to look on Cesc more affectionately than your view, but I can see why Barca fans might interpret his actions in that way.
Kxevin, that is very balanced comment 🙂 Surely, Cesc would not like to see himself as a vanity purchase, and that is exactly what it would be. Thanks for your frankness.
What do you think of Affelay: will he get a proper chance or spend most of his time on the bench? (I think he is the biggest Dutch talent around at the moment).
TA, if you click on Kxevin’s name it will take you to an impressive Barca blogsite. I particularly enjoyed the reading biogs on the ‘About’ page. Interestingly, Cesc is not the main topic of conversation, in fact it’s hard to find much reference to him.
Wow Rasp, you are right. I didn’t know you could do that. Cheers.
Kxevin,
That was a wholly reasonable expression of a possible Barca strategy.
I have one minor cavill, which is also true of some fans of other clubs, and that is, when you write things such as “we aren’t going to pay £45m for him. If that’s the real number, he’ll be staying at Arsenal.” — it seems not to be a simple opinion, but as if you think you are the Barca President.
Perhaps you are? 🙂
Afellay was a steal for us, and I see him getting a lot more time this season, particularly with both Jeffren and Krkic being sold this summer. I’ll never forget how he turned that Champions League tie on its head in the Lair of Evil.
I think he’ll get much more time as a winger, as Thiago will be the midfield heir/sub apparent. Afellay/Thiago will get lots of time in the Copa, and early Champions League rounds. We’ll have a short squad again this season (sighhhh!), so he should feature even more than he did last season.
And much respect to your club for building success the right way, and Fabregas should be part of that, or he risks getting a rep as a runner. He left La Masia rather than battle Xavi and Iniesta for a spot, and now wants to leave Arsenal, where he will once again be batting Xavi and Iniesta for playing time. He’s a HUGE talent, who would walk into any midfield in the world, except for ours. And he’s priced fairly, in the current market. All true.
Most importantly, Fabregas has NEVER come out and said he wants to leave Arsenal. The Spanish press can be rather stupid about that sort of thing. And Rosell is a massive ass, with his comments about Fabregas’ price going down for this season. Even if you think that, you don’t say it in public. Classless, frankly.
You all are a couple of key buys away from taking a wide-open Prem this season. Citeh look the favorites early, it must be said.
P.S. Thanks for the nice comment about the blog, Rasp.
Redders’ comments went
without flash nor bang
Beware of rested centurion
Kxevin,
(Is that Kevin with a floating ‘x’?)
I have just looked at your blog too and it looks excellent with great blogging standards! 🙂
Are you still based in the Windy City?
TA, you are a fast learner, excellent Haiku style poem! 🙂
Kxevin, that’s the difference between Barca and Arsenal at the moment. A player like Affelay or Thiago would get a proper opportunity in our team. Long may this luxury continue for your team. I remember that Affelay move on the right hand side, but it was also a masterful finish by the best footballer I have ever watched.
Intersting view re Citeh being the favourite. They should be, given the vast amounts of money spend on players, but I cannot see Mancini push them all the way. If and when they get hold of Mourinho, it will be a different matter.
RA, sorry it is 5-5-9, but I had to put the word centurion in. Like Chas said, it has not been the same without you. I hope you are feeling ok now?
TA – why not give RA a medal for acting so irresponsibly??!!
TA – 5-5-8
@Red Arse the Return: I wish I was the president. We would have bought Willian, Llorente, exercised the buyback on Botia and continued making color copies rather than banning them and going for Sanchez and Fabregas. 😀
@TotalArsenal: You are absolutely right. Look at the development of Wilshere, for example. That couldn’t have happened in our house. He would have been on the Segunda side, bouncing back and forth like Thiago, with eventual promotion and gradual blooding. Longer development cycle, with the potential to be a Krkic as much as a Fabregas. Wilshere’s development, by the by, is another argument for you all capitalizing on the high Fabregas price right now, even if the number isn’t an ideal one.
I think that Citeh are going to move to a “coachless” system, with players cognizant of the fact that Mancini won’t be able to get them over the hump. Look at the leaders they have on the pitch: Yaya, Silva, Kompany. And sometimes, you get so much talent that it’s coach-proof, for a while.
@Red Arse: Still in Chicago, you bet. Love the city, even in January when it’s -10 (that’s F, for you Euros) and two feet of snow on the ground.
Kxevin – just waiting for my cousins from Chicago to arrive in London, all Polish 🙂 Mad world
Kxevin,
You mind who you are calling a Euro! 🙂
Had a further look at your blog. It’s really excellent and clearly professionally done.
I’m a NY Yankee fan, as well as a Gooner — you a Cub or a White Sox fan?
Evonne, please forgive me for buggering off without saying — you know you want to!! 🙂
Having been out of the loop for a while, I was intrigued with an alleged comment from Arsene regarding the left back spot following the sale of Clichy.
He was commenting on the possible purchase of Sissoko from Lyon and saying he was no longer interested in him. “I already have Thomas Vermaelen, Armand Traore and Kieran Gibbs in the squad. There is no need to buy a left-back at this time,” said Wenger.
It seems to be a clear implication that he sees TV as a possible candidate for left back, just as some of us were suspecting may be the case.
I cannot help thinking that this could be a mistake, if it is true,
Neither. Baseball puts me to sleep. I only watch footy, Formula One and World Rally. Nerd sports rule!
And the Euro was a general thang. 😀 I remember a flight from Paris landing, and the pilot said “It’s sunny and 10 degrees outside.” The sighs of relief turned to horror when the pilot came on to say, “I forgot we were an international flight. I mean Fahrenheit.” The dash to the North Face store in O’Hare was pretty funny.
Oh, every Barca fan hopes that you all can win the Prem next season. Just not Champions League, because that would mean that we didn’t. The beautiful game always needs to win whenever possible.
Evonne, it is wonderful the way you show your love for RA through anger. If I did not know you were Polish, I would have said you were French. Evonne, la femme fatale.
Kxevin, there is a lot of excitement about Wilshere, as well as Ramsey, and at least in my case, Song and Diaby as well. But it would be a lot of responsibility on the young shoulders of Jack and Aaron to take over from Cesc at this stage. So, rather than taking the money now, I feel strongly we need to hold to Cesc for one or two seasons more, and I believe that this will ultimately be best for Arsenal, Cesc as well as Barcalona. Nice to hear that you would like Arsenal to win the PL. Most of us feel the same re your team in the Spanish league. THe beautiful game should always prevail and every time Mourinho gets a bloody nose is a joy to behold.
TA – I’d love to be French, I love just about everything that’s French
RA -xx – just don’t do it again!!
RA, the most likely thing to happen is Wenger trying out Gibbs or Traore, and TV being our safe pair of hands if both of them do not make the grade. It looks like Wenger would rather buy an additional CB which would enable him to move TV more easily in the LB position. A defensive unit of Szczesny, Sagna, Djourou/Cahill, Koscielny, and TV would be quite some wall to have!
Evonne, everything except Evra 😆
Kxevin, I’m an exiled NY guy, but completely anglicised having lived here for many years, tho’ I still support the Big Blue in the NFL.
Like you, I love Formula 1.
Unfortunately, I am an even bigger sports nerd because I now have a keen interest in Rugby Union and Rugby League (unheard of in the States) and — sit down for this — I am, perhaps, the only Yank who is really interested in cricket, and I now support England in “Test” matches and the World Cup because there is no US team!!
Oh, oh, I have to lay down for a minute — now all the AA bloggers here know I have ‘gone native’. I will never live it down!! 🙂
Thank you Evonne. 🙂
TA, I suspect you are right, it’s just that Traore was found wanting a couple of years ago, and a friend who supports Fulham told me he was pants when he was there on loan. And clearly his Italian adventure was not successful. So why would he suddenly become good enough for us? Money? (said he cynically — and a little shame-faced).
Gibbs has also shown his frailty and mext season AW should not risk a step back in that position, because TV has previously said he did not like playing left back.
We will just have to see. 😦
RA, you are making it up! You are as English as marmalade, chips and eggs, marmite and Wimbledon! 😆
Hi Kelsey, and thank you. 🙂
You have arrived just as I have to go. Catch you tomorrow, if you are about. 🙂
TA, I will take that as a compliment!! 🙂
See you tomorrow.
I am sure Chas will add his daily video contribution soon, but for now I thought the attached will be a good watch for all of us.
Have a great evening RA.
More examples of Fabregas’s body language saying he wants to leave.
Haha London, did you notice that apart from the Chelsea game at the end, all of that footage was from 09/10?
Well quite a day, a fantastic heartfelt post from TA, some absolute see you next tuesday Barca fans and one or two good ones.
And above all a return of the Red Arsed one……..good to see you are on top form as always.
As for TA’s video what was really interesting was how deep some of those passes were coming from, oh how i’d love to see him drop back there. Unfortunately that would also mean Wilshere would have reduced opportunities, but to be fair I’d like to see Jack have a rest this season, protect those joints we will need them for years to come.
Brillint post, says it all really! hopefully the team are feeling the love in Malaysia, away from all the negativity being spouted on talkshite and in the daily rubbish papers, and I am sorry to have to say some arsenal fans. Fergie’s started the mind games already, I don’t care what anyone he knows we are coming for the honours ~ be it this year or next,it will come we just need some resilience and a little bit of luck, when it comes it will be the best feeling Fabregas has ever had, he has to stay and see it through, and believe me he will not be even thinking about Barcelona when it happens.
Beautiful post. First time I’ve ever seen a “letter” disguised as a blog post that I actually loved reading.
Thanks GiE, I think you are right re Cesc sitting deeper and impact it would have on Wilshere. I sometimes wonder the sole reason we play 4-2-3-1 is to accomodate 3 super-talented central midfielders (Song – Wilshere – Cesc). Now we also have Rambo and Diaby who want/need to play in those central roles, and not to forget Nasri and Arshavin.
Goonergal, let’s hope you are right. Best to ignore Ferguson though, especially at this stage. We’ll be having them this season 😉
Evenin’ all, nice to see so many new authors lately although regrettably I have not been able to comment much for one reason or the other.
I’m back and I’m angry……
How the hell do the Spuds have the audacity to ask for a public grant for their new stadium when we didn’t ask for a penny of tax payers money ? I mean, WTF ?!
For more detail on this travesty read here: http://onlinegooner.com/article.php?section=exclusive&id=2361
Typical, I finally get back on and there’s no bugger around. 😦
Chary!!!!!! Were you away with RA??
No, I know about your job/internet! Good to have you back 🙂
Everybody is getting bit tider of the same sh*t, ie transfer rumours, but they’ll be back around midnight 🙂
Ah Evonne my darling 😉 , no i was not away with RedA(I didn’t know he was not around, reading a blog on a mobile phone is a bit tricky so I may have missed some things), he moves in more rarefied circles than little old me(just kidding RedA.)
I think I may just be part of the evening shift nowadays, when I can get my sons off the laptop/PS3 that is, but it’s good to see so many new contributers lately; it’s makes an AA old timer like me quite glad.
Chary just be comfortable in the knowledge we didn’t need it.
What you see there is a club who are desperate for money to spend on it’s team but needs to move/build new stadium to improve revenues. All we can do is DIY and laugh.
DIY = sit obviously
PS Chary get an iPhone blogging is easy on them
Nice one TA, cracking letter, hope he reads it, your right he will regret leaving this season…….
For me, if Nasri doesnt sign, then sell him, no point in losing 20+million quid…….
Keep fabregas for one more season and then sell to barca if he still wants to go……..
GiE – it still makes me smart that they’ve asked for it, the benefit scroungers !
Plus an iphone for someone with dodgy peepers like me is a no no.
Harry
I agree 100% I can’t believe we’ll let his contract run down, I’d let him go to the mancs If we had to. He’ll go there for free next season. If he talks to another club in January then his mind will be so focussed on the move that we’ll only get about 3 months for £24m. Personally I’m hoping he signs an extension.
Hi Chary, good to see you back here. Like good hard rock, you can disappear for a while but you will always resurface again 🙂
Harry, I like your ability to say things in such a straight and logical way. You are often a champion of brevity 🙂
Like you I would not be surprised at all if we indeed sell Nasri and keep Cesc for one or two more years. But I still hope Nasri signs a new deal and is happy to play on one of the wings (rather than central).
That was a fantastic read Total, absolutely fantastic.
In a second language..??
I just can’t quite get my head around that. I honestly can’t. Its not just that its technically and grammatically correct, its something else.
Defo GM, I pray he signs, maybe even just a year and let cesc go either way one must stay for next season, cannot let both go, but nasri cannot go for free next season that would be financial suicide……
To be honest i’d even let him go to united than for free……Oh however i would rather city get him as he is just another player there, at united he would improve them……
Hi there TotalA, I’ll be flitting in and out evenings now, as an aside I’m going to see the Priest on Sunday.
I hope to have my hearing back by next Tuesday !
Hola Chary !!
“it’s good to see so many new contributors lately” – hear hear ti that.
I also like the not so new contributors who’s are now stalwarts but who’s first post first visits I can (almost?) recall.
I think GiE’s is one of my faves. He ended his first day on AA with a very simple line – ” I’m gonna bookmark this site “.
The rest is history.
Hola Chary !!
“it’s good to see so many new contributors lately” – hear hear to that.
I also like the not so new contributors who’s are now stalwarts but who’s first post first visits I can (almost?) recall.
I think GiE’s is one of my faves. He ended his first day on AA with a very simple line – ” I’m gonna bookmark this site “.
The rest is history.
Oops. – blame Google Chrome !!
Alright S Sure, yeah a decent site(like AA) needs a good mix of new blood and stalwarts to evolve and progress and it seems to be going that way here.
I think I was one of the wanderers from that “Other site” together with Radders, Peachy and GoonerM.
Anyway, have to be off now, extra school runs to do tomorrow morning.
How rock ‘n roll is that ?
Thanks Sharkey 🙂 Glad you liked the post. I was not sure about this one, as in a way, it is a bit silly to write a letter to somebody who you do not know and most probably will never read it. But by addressing it directly to Cesc, I found it easier to write ‘from the heart’, if you know what I mean.
Chary, you are a Priest addict 😆 How many times did you see them now?
Sunday will be my 6th time, (Defenders of the faith tour, Ram it down tour, Painkiller tour, Tommy Vance tribute night and Angel of Retribution tour) – I made a big goof by not going to the British Steel 30th anniversary tour last year.
That just simply went under my radar.
In the style of S Sure: “Really off now”, lol.
Sharkey I’m blushing.
Anyway more shite on the TV about News International….what happens if the Murdoch empire collapses? TV money for clubs?
Really like the post. Hope El Capitan stays.
First post of the day. Sigh.
I should not go out on Mondays. Still not feeling too well. It is possible I ate three take aways yesterday. I’m hoping AW has a better pre season diet for the team! 😉
Jamie 😆 three take aways; but you are not sure… you know how to live life to the full!
Well I’m not a 100%. I have a memory of eating two quarter pounders with cheese at about 2pm. I was still fully operational at that point.
My shirt has a burger sauce stain on it which i only eat with a lamb doner and I know for a fact we were within twenty yards of my favourite kebab shop in camden last night. I was not playing with a full deck by then.
Lastly I have a receipt for a KFC and a variety meal which is three pieces, hot wing a crispy strip, fries and a coke. By which point I may have thought that another take away was fine as I may well have forgotten about the other two. I don’t remember this at all.
The moral of the storey i suspect is this; if you are too old to remember how many take aways you have had then you shouldnt be out on a Monday.
Work was hell!
flip me jamie thats a side order and a half mate, did you get sponsorship for that feat?
Three takeaways in a session that’s some serious drinking. I once spent a day at the races getting well oiled. I broke my normal “eating’s cheating rule” and tucked into a Hog Roast Roll.
When I took a friend the “nex”t time I visited the vendor informed him it was my fifth trip to her. To be fair I did need to soak up large volumes of alcohol
Harry – I was sponsored by benacol.
GIE – Hog roast is nice. That’s made me hungry.
I went out at 2pm, I think I was drinking strawberry beer, that can’t be good for you either.
I haven’t eaten tonight, I’m still working myself up for it.
Haha
What a funny site this is.
I used to have a mate in Woolwich who, whenever he went to McDonalds, would order 3 Big Macs.
One time we went to McD’s for lunch – I had one BM, he had his usual 3.
We spent the next several hours in a pub until at about 4.30 he announced he was starving because we had missed lunch. I tried putting him straight but we were both pie-eyed by then and he was having none of it. We went back to McD’s and he ordered 3 more BMs and ate the lot.
He was a skinny bloke. I lost touch with him for a few years but when I saw him again he was an 18 stone porker!
Pointless fact: the McDonalds in Powis St, Woolwich was the first one in the UK.
First time I went in there and they served my food in paper wrappers and with no cutlery I thought they were taking the piss. I was used to the Bender Brunch at Wimpey, you see.
This one is for you Jamie. La grande bouffe / Blow-out. Bon Appetit 😛
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CCwQtwIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DQiMK4HpG2yg&ei=wcYcTpG5GIWohAf3m53mBw&usg=AFQjCNFj1R3u7CvymMujeee9Ta6uoMBvUg
TA – That is a bizarre clip but I love it!
Rocky – My mate Mikey, A Millwall fan has told me a very similar storey about that Mcdonalds. Willet was great, our town still had one right up until about five years ago. Sorely missed but I’m finding ways to compensate 😉
Wimpey not Willett, damm spell check
Jamie
I can get nostalgic about Wimpey too.
I think there was still one in Kingston on Thames last time I looked.
Hi Jamie, I know it’s bizarre – a bit left field. La grande bouffe is a movie in which a number of friends meet up to eat themselves to death, as a way of protesting against modern society. Your oblivious feasting on various take aways somehow made me think of this movie 😛
RL, you are a man of many tastes! Did you not say recently to RA you went to the same G Ramsey restaurant in Hyde Park that he went to recently?
Lol what a loser… Fab loves barc more.. Always has and always will
Nima, what a witty comment 😛
TA – I liked it.
Nima – Is that why he left you?
Of course he has Nima that’s why he left when he was young and why he signed the longest contract in history with The Arsenal.
When will people realise AW rarely sells a player at the top of his game.
Remember when PV4 came back to Highbury and TH14 took him for a run down the wing. PV4 was left in the slipstream and gave up in three strides. Did anyone question then why AW sold him?
GiE, did you read KXevin’s comments today. I thought they were a joy to read. Nima clearly is the other end of the scale…
TA
One day a lord, the next a peasant… That’s me!
Agreed GiE, Wenger knows when to let somebody go but it was hard to see PV and RP go in quick succession a few years ago.
RL, I am the same. Food is food and I live to eat.
“At Arsenal, you are not only wanted, but also needed and loved. That is three out of three – it does not get any better than that: can you say the same about Barcelona?”
Ummm… I don’t know about you guys but players don’t just play and live to be loved, needed and wanted, they have the girlfriend, wife, or hooker (if you want the extremes) for that. I think I would like some silverware once in a while around my neck.. I thinks he deserves that like NOW?… not “may be this year”… Barca can provide him with the league, clubs world cup and why not next’s years Champions. That is three out of three – it does not get any better than that: can you say the same about Arsenal?…”Barca will enter the history books as the best club ever, Cesc you deserve to be part of this: you worked so hard during the last seven years, and for what?. Not leaving Arsenal now, could become the biggest regret of your life.
If really wanted to let him go, sell it to “Riot Madrid” instead of “BOOSCELONA”. Let Rosell bite his own fingers!!!
TA- yes I did read Kxevins comments earlier.
ElChingon – There was a time when players played for that love alone…….ah good times.
13:45 kick off 🙂
😀 Evonne – I’m hoping to be back in time from work
GiE – I cannot wait, at looooong last 🙂
Morning,
Total,
Very good, very moving post. Thank you.
RA and Chary back. Is it because I have gone away?
So I read Barca splashing out masses of cash-up-front for Sanchez. If true, then Cesc would appear to be a lower priority. I think.
Limiting myself to an hour a day online, and work must come second to Arsena,, which still leaves little dongle time.
Bye.
ElChingon, dream on: the chapter of ‘Best Clubs’ in the book of history does not know the spelling of your club’s name. You have got a long, long way to go for that. Help me out – it is still very early – how many times did a certain Real win the top European league?
Branca, Inter’s Technical Director about Wesley Sneijder: ‘We have not received any concrete offers for him and we are also not waiting for an offer…No meeting has been planned with his agent, simply because Sneijder is not for sale’.
Well Fergie, no Nasri, no Sneijder, no Modric – you might have to beg your veteran Scholes back 😆
Morning you lovely AA’ers, 🙂
Have had a leisurely and fascinated look at the Posts that were written while I was away.
Really good stuff in a quiet period, congrats to all the authors! Especially a debut (?) article from someone called One Hung. 🙂
Micky, what is all this blaming your limited blogging on your dingle dongle? We know you prefer big clawed, long feelered crustaceans to us more mundane AA’ers.
Tho’ I have the uncomfortable feeling that I recognise that description being associated with me, on occasion.
TA, don’t you ever go to bed? You and GIE seem to have an inate ability to survive with limited sleep. For me, I find sleeping an ‘exercise’ I excel at, it is the staying awake that is difficult. (Except on AA, of course!? 🙂
Morning all,
New post ……..
TA,
Your 9:19 is clearly very wounding and you have no care or concern for the hurt feelings of that wonderful man known to us as, — now what does CharyB call him? Ahh better not use that, it’s trade marked — yes, I am referring to that handsome purple nosed, red faced tart who manages Manure.
Well done!! 🙂
dojava…
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that major success will not happen. Ever again. Definitely not with Wenger at the helm, if you have a go at me, you’re a moron, because you’ve all been saying success has been impending the last 4 years.
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