Far be it for me to be in a position to lecture the football genius that is Cesc Farebgas, but, hey, I’m going to. Cesc, on the pitch you are a star but is there really any need to stir the sleeping beast that is Barcelona? The summer came and went and you didn’t get your ‘dream move’. Best case scenario would be to deal with it and drive on with the Arsenal this season and win us a trophy. Then you’ll get your move.
But by going over old ground while you are on international duty with Spain you are doing neither the rip-roaring Reds, yourself or indeed Barca any favours. Well, maybe Barca.
The tabloids report that Cesc has admitted he only stayed with us because he was given no choice. The midfielder also says he believes there is no reason why he cannot play in the same team as Barca stars Andres Iniesta and Xavi. He said: ‘Barcelona did all they could to sign me but Arsenal told me I had to stay, that there was no way they were going to let me go. In the end I had to stay — but the content of my conversation with Arsene Wenger will remain private.’
Meanwhile, it emerges that Barcelona are saving their famous No 4 shirt for Cesc because they are convinced our refusal to sell him has only delayed his arrival one more year. Nobody at the club will wear No 4 this season. And Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi has chipped in with: ‘If the signing has not happened this year, it will happen next.’ And Cesc’s Spain team-mate Andres Iniesta has stoked the fire too. He said: ‘When you talk with Fabregas, you realise how excited he was about the prospect of joining Barca.’
Cesc, what’s done is done. Keep your dream but please don’t bleat. Be a professional and get on with it. Bring us the Champs League or the title and you’ll leave with our blessing.
Elsewhere in today’s rags, Marouane Chamakh has spoken about the tough pre-season he has had at the Arsenal after joining on a free from Bordeaux this summer.
Chamakh said: “There is a different preparation between Bordeaux and Arsenal. Here it’s shorter but a lot more intense. For three weeks it’s a real slog. But that’s what my team-mates have been telling me – that we need a massive pre-season to last the whole season, particularly since there is no break in December.”
Chamakh scored on his home debut against Blackpool and he says he has been surprised by the pace of games in the Premier League. He said: “Matches over here are all played at 100mph. You have to be on edge all the time and you have the impression that the ball never goes out of play.
“I’m very happy at the moment. I don’t speak much English yet but I’m taking lessons – and luckily there are a lot of French speakers already in the Arsenal dressing room. I take a lot of pleasure on the pitch. I can improve at this club. Up until now my performances have been OK. Even though I’ve given myself a dozen games to get used to the Premier League, I have a good feeling about it.”
COYG!
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