Evening everyone. It's been some time, but the exams aren't going away for another 17 days and I ask you to forgive me, should I write less often than usual during this period.
I'll start with the thing everyone is occupied with right now: our former captain, Cesc Fabregas. There were wild rumours regarding his situation for the last couple of days, that's why I decided not to report on these.
However, it is now clear that Cesc will be leaving Barcelona and, most importantly, it's not Arsenal he's leaving for. After some speculation on the midfielder's part, everyone agreed the Spaniard will definitely leave. Then, Pique let it slip that Fabregas will leave Barca for €33 million. In this article the author doubts it's actually the case, pointing out Pique is a known practical joker, but today (or was it yesterday?) news about Arsene Wenger turning our former player down emerged and the possibility of a great homecoming went up in flames.
Do I believe it's all speculation? At this point, no. While the whole thing may seem illogical at times (For example, why exactly would Barcelona want to sell Fabregas? He's far from a flop, besides, Xavi is not getting any younger), everything else does fall in place. While I do not sympathise with the manager's decision not to re-sign Cesc, I can understand even that.
Arsene may say that we have an abundance of creative midfielders and he will be right. Ozil, Cazorla, Rosicky, Ramsey and Wilshere all fit into the type. Even the Ox can play under the striker. Yes, Rosicky is 33 and Oxlade and Wilshere are far from finished articles, but it's still a lot of players to feed Giroud. Besides, we have always given the chance for our youngsters to thrive under the guidance of more experienced ones, and the aforementioned English duo falls into this category of "yet to shine".
Interestingly enough, it was also the position where we badly needed reinforcements in March and April. With Ozil, Wilshere and Ramsey injured, while Cazorla and Oxlade were swinging in and out of shape (the latter also in and out of hospital), we've lost the ability to win games comfortably playing the kind of football that fired us to the top. Had a player of Cesc calibre been there, who knows.
Another thought the manager might have had in mind when opting to ignore the Spaniard's availability could have been money. Spending £30 million on a player we don't need so badly may have affected Arsene's decision-making greatly. After all, we still need a right-back, that can fill Bac shoes, a goalkeeper, a centre-back and that world-class striker we all want for the second year running. Also, I remeber Wenger wanted to sign Draxler? Does he fall into one of the abovementioned categories? And what a DM? Haven't I said Arteta (32) still hasn't signed his contract?
But, as logical as it all sounds, there a nagging doubt we've missed an opportunity with Cesc. Even though we are well-packed in midfield, I've shown how all of it crumbled and cost us the title. Even though £30 million is a lot, I don't think Arsene will spend over £70 this summer, thus leaving Arsenal financially unable to purchase Fabregas.
Yes, I'm biased when I say I want Cesc to pull on an Arsenal shirt after the World Cup, simply because I love the guy. The idea of him joining anyone else (especially a cash-rich English club) is almost unbearable, more so because our former captain was so close to a homecoming, because he himself would have chosen us over any club, yet Arsene refused to sign the guy. I sincerely hope our manager will strengthen the team and do this by spending over £70 million, otherwise every single fan of this Club (including me) will point the finger of blame at Arsene.
In other news, the Ox, whom I have mentioned several times already, knackered his knee during a friendly against Ecuador and it later turned out the Englishman will miss World Cup opener. It's a blow for England, but, frankly, who cares? It's selfish, I know, but Arsenal needs the Ox much more than the national team and, after spending five months on the sidelines this season, we don't want him out again. Fingers crossed the injury really isn't serious and won't affect Oxlade's preparations for the new campaign.
Finally for today, Koscielny wants signings:
"It's important to have a minimum of these four players (a goalie, a right-back, a DM, a striker) so that we'll be better able to challenge over the course of a whole season against teams like Manchester City, Chelsea or (Manchester) United".
And adds on the striker:
"Yes, we need to recruit a very, very good striker, because it's important for us, for competition for places, because Olivier needs that to become even better. Having a striker who scores more than 30 goals a season can help us win the Premier League. Compared to the squads like Manchester City, even United, Chelsea. ... You can see there's a certain difference."
It continues the trend of Arsenal players urging Wenger to spent the cash, only, compared to last time, it started much earlier. Let's hope Arsene listens. And NOT like last time.
That's it, more later in a couple of days. Stay tuned
I'll start with the thing everyone is occupied with right now: our former captain, Cesc Fabregas. There were wild rumours regarding his situation for the last couple of days, that's why I decided not to report on these.
However, it is now clear that Cesc will be leaving Barcelona and, most importantly, it's not Arsenal he's leaving for. After some speculation on the midfielder's part, everyone agreed the Spaniard will definitely leave. Then, Pique let it slip that Fabregas will leave Barca for €33 million. In this article the author doubts it's actually the case, pointing out Pique is a known practical joker, but today (or was it yesterday?) news about Arsene Wenger turning our former player down emerged and the possibility of a great homecoming went up in flames.
Do I believe it's all speculation? At this point, no. While the whole thing may seem illogical at times (For example, why exactly would Barcelona want to sell Fabregas? He's far from a flop, besides, Xavi is not getting any younger), everything else does fall in place. While I do not sympathise with the manager's decision not to re-sign Cesc, I can understand even that.
Arsene may say that we have an abundance of creative midfielders and he will be right. Ozil, Cazorla, Rosicky, Ramsey and Wilshere all fit into the type. Even the Ox can play under the striker. Yes, Rosicky is 33 and Oxlade and Wilshere are far from finished articles, but it's still a lot of players to feed Giroud. Besides, we have always given the chance for our youngsters to thrive under the guidance of more experienced ones, and the aforementioned English duo falls into this category of "yet to shine".
Interestingly enough, it was also the position where we badly needed reinforcements in March and April. With Ozil, Wilshere and Ramsey injured, while Cazorla and Oxlade were swinging in and out of shape (the latter also in and out of hospital), we've lost the ability to win games comfortably playing the kind of football that fired us to the top. Had a player of Cesc calibre been there, who knows.
Another thought the manager might have had in mind when opting to ignore the Spaniard's availability could have been money. Spending £30 million on a player we don't need so badly may have affected Arsene's decision-making greatly. After all, we still need a right-back, that can fill Bac shoes, a goalkeeper, a centre-back and that world-class striker we all want for the second year running. Also, I remeber Wenger wanted to sign Draxler? Does he fall into one of the abovementioned categories? And what a DM? Haven't I said Arteta (32) still hasn't signed his contract?
But, as logical as it all sounds, there a nagging doubt we've missed an opportunity with Cesc. Even though we are well-packed in midfield, I've shown how all of it crumbled and cost us the title. Even though £30 million is a lot, I don't think Arsene will spend over £70 this summer, thus leaving Arsenal financially unable to purchase Fabregas.
Yes, I'm biased when I say I want Cesc to pull on an Arsenal shirt after the World Cup, simply because I love the guy. The idea of him joining anyone else (especially a cash-rich English club) is almost unbearable, more so because our former captain was so close to a homecoming, because he himself would have chosen us over any club, yet Arsene refused to sign the guy. I sincerely hope our manager will strengthen the team and do this by spending over £70 million, otherwise every single fan of this Club (including me) will point the finger of blame at Arsene.
In other news, the Ox, whom I have mentioned several times already, knackered his knee during a friendly against Ecuador and it later turned out the Englishman will miss World Cup opener. It's a blow for England, but, frankly, who cares? It's selfish, I know, but Arsenal needs the Ox much more than the national team and, after spending five months on the sidelines this season, we don't want him out again. Fingers crossed the injury really isn't serious and won't affect Oxlade's preparations for the new campaign.
Finally for today, Koscielny wants signings:
"It's important to have a minimum of these four players (a goalie, a right-back, a DM, a striker) so that we'll be better able to challenge over the course of a whole season against teams like Manchester City, Chelsea or (Manchester) United".
And adds on the striker:
"Yes, we need to recruit a very, very good striker, because it's important for us, for competition for places, because Olivier needs that to become even better. Having a striker who scores more than 30 goals a season can help us win the Premier League. Compared to the squads like Manchester City, even United, Chelsea. ... You can see there's a certain difference."
It continues the trend of Arsenal players urging Wenger to spent the cash, only, compared to last time, it started much earlier. Let's hope Arsene listens. And NOT like last time.
That's it, more later in a couple of days. Stay tuned