Topic: Arsenal

[afcgooner]

shut up wenger you fucking tool. Where was your outrage when Gallas was trying to break ankles to get you back into a game you were losing against bolton eh? Fuck you, and I hope that c*nt Fabregas is injured as well.

Your a nice person. 

[WelshMike]

He's really got no right to be moaning this time though. It was a perfectly clean and reasonable tackle on Fabregas.

[Red_Isle_Chap]

Your a nice person. 

Thanks, I really am.

It's idiotic fucking shit like this that stops me from liking Wenger and it's all his own doing. As for the Fabregas comment, perhaps it was a little harsh, but I can't stand the little fucker, so I'm not all that bothered if you don't like it.

[MagicHat]

He's really got no right to be moaning this time though. It was a perfectly clean and reasonable tackle on Fabregas.

See, that's a fair enough comment.

As would have been defending the state of Birmingham's pitch.

[kopitecrash]

Didn't see the game, I'll watch MoD on Monday and make a comment on the dissallowed goal for you. Considering we drew, it can't be why we lost. Considering my comments about Almunia in the Prem thread, the injury to Cesc isn't what I blamed so why you applied that to me, I don't know. I wasn't the one that started the comments on Wenger was I?

Oh noes, Wenger is a hypocrite. I thought all managers were truthful saints I have never denied Wenger was a hypocrite or that we are as guilty as others. Still doesn't make Wenger's complaints to certain tackles or incidents unjustified and indeed, I think more managers should defend their skill players by condemning specific incidents where they are hacked . If the tackle/incident was clean then mock the complaining manager by all means, not when a striker has been punched or the playmaker had to avoid a stamp to the neck. In general I mean, not accusing Birmingham on this one

We win plenty of games, we have learnt not to be bullied but shouldn't the ref's and the media do their jobs? I do get horrified by some of the "tackles" we do and I was mortified when we tried to kick Nani off the park.

fair enough.

[aliverbirduponmychest]

Your a nice person. 

Allow me to correct your grammar! It should be you're as in you are a nice person.

[classycarra]

Allow me to correct your grammer! It should be you're as in you are a nice person.

You failed, sorry. It's spelled grammar!

[rakey_lfc]

Personally think Almunia is at fault for your goal at the weekend. In complete no mans land and then his wrists just turned to Jelly.

[MagicHat]

Personally think Almunia is at fault for your goal at the weekend. In complete no mans land and then his wrists just turned to Jelly.

You mean keepers aren't supposed to push shots into their net?

So on seeing the game highlights, I note one or two tackles with Denilson either the receiver or the giver that might have been worth another look. But the two main ones

1) Gardner on Cesc. Loose ball, goes in, wins it and catches Cesc on the follow through, happens. While sometimes "catches him in the follow through" is just hiding a way of acting thuggery, think it was a fair challenge.

2) Cesc during the disallowed goal, real lack of angles. Won the ball but looks like he had the Birmingham's legs trapped between the two, didn't remind me of the Shawcross one but would like another look

[Livid]

1) Gardner on Cesc. Loose ball, goes in, wins it and catches Cesc on the follow through, happens. While sometimes "catches him in the follow through" is just hiding a way of acting thuggery, think it was a fair challenge.

I remember a prime example of this in a match between Arsenal and Chelsea a couple of years ago.
Terry flew into a tackle while Fabregas was on the floor with the ball next to him, right on the edge of the Chelsea penalty area. Terry cleared the ball but it was obvious he knew he'd clatter into the player as well.
Real shithouse tackle since the player on the receiving end was already on the floor.

[USgooner]

Wenger

"The place is very hostile but what is most important is that the pitch was terrible," he said afterwards.

"If we are selling our game's international rights for £1.2 billion next year that means we have to offer something to people. When we pretend we have the best league in the world, the minimum we have is to take care of our pitches when you want so much money.

"When you go to a dentist, do you want him to have as bad a tool as possible to repair your teeth?"

[Garstonite]

Worst. Analogy. Ever. What the fuck has that got to do with anything?

[Brian Blessed]

Worst. Analogy. Ever. What the fuck has that got to do with anything?

It's like eating a Mares Bar when all you really want is a nice wank.

[CHOPPER]

It means "Don't go to dentist's who'll shove their cottage cheese riddled cock in your mouth" it's an old French proverb about being wary of paedophile dentists...and suss football managers of course.

So don't be a seagull following the trawler, waiting for sardines.

["Nookie".]

I'm amazed how many people here were watching the Birmingham game and could judge the tackle that injured Cesc just below the knee.

Nothing wrong with that challenge, took the ball first, caught Fabregas at the end of his follow through. Wenger complaining for nothing.

[MagicHat]

Nothing wrong with that challenge, took the ball first, caught Fabregas at the end of his follow through. Wenger complaining for nothing.

and that's fair enough, after all I have said the same thing since. How many of those launching into Wenger when I posted that particular comment though do you really believe had seen the challenge? That was my point

[mobydick]

It's like eating a Mares Bar when all you really want is a nice wank.

What the ? is a Mares Bar?

If you are hungry why would you pull your plum? I don't see the connection.

The vagaries of the English language?

[Chakan]

What the ? is a Mares Bar?

[mobydick]

Ah I thought so




So it's not a female horse's feces then?

[Art Vandelay]

It's like eating a Mares Bar when all you really want is a nice wank.

Yes, but if you eat the mare's bar, she might pay you back by wanking you off herself.

[Brian Blessed]

Yes, but if you eat the mare's bar, she might pay you back by wanking you off herself.

Your ideas intrigue me and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.

[Juan Loco]

Our own Rodolfo Borrell talking about Fabregas/Barca etc to the Beeb.

Rodolfo Borrell remembers the exact date when Cesc Fabregas made his debut at the Barcelona academy. It was 11 November 1997 and the future Arsenal captain was 10 years old.

Borrell is no statistical anorak; the occasion is etched in his memory because discovering Fabregas was the reward for hours and hours spent scouring local youth clubs for youngsters worthy of the famous blue and red shirt.

Fabregas had been playing for Mataro, a team based 35km north of Barcelona, but it was not until Borrell's third visit to the club that he unearthed his diamond.

"I went to see them play again and suddenly I saw this one player who was simply wonderful," recalls Borrell.

"They told me he was called Cesc Fabregas and he was one year younger than the rest. He was good at running with the ball, had a fantastic pass over short, medium and long distances. He was very mature for his age and had all the attributes we were looking for at Barcelona at that time.

"At half-time I asked the coach why I had not seen this kid before. He admitted that when he saw me coming, he had decided not to play him because he knew that if I saw him I would take him."

 
A deal was reached whereby Fabregas would play out the season with his club before joining the Barcelona academy at La Masia - a converted farm where the boys are housed and schooled in the philosophy of the Catalan giants, whose motto proclaims the importance of the team to its region: "Mes que un club" - More than a club.

The young Fabregas continued to live at home and go to school, but spent the rest of his time at La Masia, training, eating and studying at the famous institution which produced seven of the Barcelona side who won the treble of La Liga, Spanish Cup and Champions League last season.

Among his peers were current Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique and a certain Lionel Messi, who was signed from Newell's Old Boys in Argentina as a 13-year-old and played with Fabregas for Borrell's under-14s.

The duo will come face to face again when Arsenal take on Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Borrell, who spent 13 years at Barcelona and now coaches Liverpool under-18s, remembers Messi as a youngster of immense skill, but he is staggered by the progress of a player who has 25 league goals in as many games this season and is widely regarded as the natural successor to Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

"Nobody can predict that a lad of 13 years old will become a superstar," says Borrell.

"Yes, he had a lot of things but he had a long way to go. A lot people talk about his talent, but I can add that he's a big talent with a big mentality. He was hungry for football. He would finish one training session and be dying to train the next day."

With the likes of Messi on a fast track to the first-team, and fellow midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta starting to establish themselves, Fabregas sensed his opportunities would be limited at Barca and decided to take up the offer of a professional contract at Arsenal in September of that year.

Having become the London side's youngest ever first-team player at 16 years, 177 days, Fabregas has since developed into one of the world's most complete midfielders.

For Barca and their fans, he is the one who got away and the club have made no secret of their desire to get him back.

Before the start of this season, Fabregas was asked about re-joining Barcelona and expressed his commitment to the Gunners. But, there was one significant proviso. If Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola were to call him personally "it would be different".

As a player, Guardiola was very much the prototype of the modern Spanish midfielder: technically-gifted, balanced and an immaculate passer of the ball.

He was at the heart of Johan Cruyff's all-conquering Barca side in the 1990s and was idolised by the young Fabregas as he made his way through the academy ranks.

Borrell, who has remained a friend and confidante to Fabregas, tells a story that encapsulates the connection between the Arsenal star and his one-time hero.

In 2001, when Fabregas was going through the pain of his parents' divorce, Borrell persuaded Guardiola to sign his famous number four shirt for the young protege. On it, he wrote 'One day, you will be the number four of Barcelona'.

"I called him into my room and explained that I was aware of what was happening in his family," recalls Borrell. "He started to cry, so I showed him the famous shirt. You can imagine the reaction. His idol has written a message for him on his shirt. It was a fantastic moment."

Speculation over Fabregas's return to Barcelona is likely to intensify this summer when he is expected to be used as a pawn in the club's presidential elections, with candidate Sandro Rosell promising to use his close links to the Fabregas family to entice the Arsenal star back to the club.

The decision, it seems, lies entirely with the player.

On the one hand, there is the chance to play in what is emerging as one of the greatest club sides in history, to be reunited with the stupendous Messi, and to be managed by his idol.

On the other hand, he has the chance to finish what he has started at Arsenal, as the leader of Wenger's potentially irresistible young side, now chasing a first trophy since 2005.

"He is in a great club, with a great coach and fantastic team-mates who play fantastic football in a nice city where the people adore him," says Borrell.

"But I think everybody wants to go home one day and at the kind of level Barca are playing at the moment he must be tempted. Everybody in Barcelona is expecting him to arrive soon but this doesn't mean he will go."

Borrell predicts an open game at the Emirates, with both sides scoring at least twice, but expects Barca's superior quality to shine through at the Nou Camp.

And if Barca do win comfortably, could the pull towards his boyhood club become overwhelming for Fabregas?

"He's a professional and he will only be thinking to do the best for his team, to make his team win," says Borrell.

"I don't think the result will affect his decision. He loves the club who pushed him so quickly to the top level and he's always giving his maximum for the team."

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/8591463.stm

[the_prodigal_s0n]

Nice article that. It's very likely that Fabregas will play for Barcelona one day. And whilst a midfield of Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas would be an incredible sight (though of course Spain can use it when they desire), I just don't see how they'd fit them all into the same team. Unless one of Fabregas or Iniesta were shunted out to the wing, which I don't think would optimise their ability. It would be an awesome side on paper but it also could present a lot of problems.

[Koplass]

I never really understand why Fabregas is linked with Barca when they've already got Xavi and Iniesta, where would he fit in?

[Brian Blessed]

I never really understand why Fabregas is linked with Barca when they've already got Xavi and Iniesta, where would he fit in?

We're getting Iniesta in the summer thanks to our rich american owners.

[rushyman]

We're getting Iniesta in the summer thanks to our rich american owners.

I like this game. I'll play

Im buying a helicopter for my dog tomorrow

[BazC]

Makes you wonder why they sold him for so little. They seemed to rate him very highly.

They didn't want to sell him (just like they didn't want to sell Pique or Pacheco), but they couldn't tie him down before he was 18, whereas Arsenal (and other English clubs) could. If a player at 16 is faced with a professional contract from Arsenal/Man U/Liverpool or a 'wait until you're 18' at Barca (and other Spanish clubs), it's a fairly easy decision.

[barnowl123]

Great stuff from the Guardian's Fiver:

SINGLE WHITE FOOTBALL CLUB
With the Fiver being a complete embarrassment to society, we have always tried to improve our status by stealthily stalkin ... sorry, stealthily associating ourselves with some of life's more successful folk: vagrants, convicts and the human furniture in JD Wetherspoon. It's the same reason Paul Gascoigne still clings to the coat-tails of Jimmy Five Bellies. But even allowing for that, we're more than a little mortified by Arsenal's brazen attempts to align themselves to Barcelona ahead of tonight's quarter-final first leg in Jiggered Cup, the elephantine disgrace for which Uefa happily punted football's soul into the ether.

Barcelona have won 11 trophies in the last five years, including two Jiggered Cups; Arsenal have won just one Mickey Mouse Cup. Barcelona play the zeeksiest football against everyone; Arsenal play mildly flirtatious football, but only against teams that aren't particularly good. Barcelona had four of the top seven in last year's Ballon d'Or; the only Arsenal player in the top 20 left his heart in Barcelona and transferred his head there over the winter. Xavi against Denilson? Good one. Zlatan Ibrahimovic against Manuel Almunia? Hahahahahahaha. A roaming Lionel Messi against Sol Campbell? That's the biggest mismatch since Weird Uncle Fiver slapped foul-smelling oil all over his moobs, struggled into the scented leotard and got into the ring with notorious 27-stone wrestler Giant Mansacks.

"There are similarities there in the way we play and the way we educate young players and the way we rely on young players and in the sense of belonging to the club," said Arsène Wenger, whose best youth product, Cesc Fábregas - who Spanish newspaper Marca insist will start tonight - was plucked from Barcelona's creche and will be going back there soon. Fábregas will probably start, but the absence of Andrés Iniesta for Barcelona should keep the scoreline in single figures. That's if Campbell doesn't simply down tools and walk off the field weeping softly and mumbling Nietzsche quotes backwards when Messi makes it 3-0 after five minutes.

"We can make history in kicking Barcelona out," added Wenger, as brainwashed hacks pulled their heads from mounds of sausage meat to nod gently in agreement. "We are on a great run, and have a great spirit and togetherness. The ingredients are there to deliver something special so let's not be too much in respect of them, be brave and have a real go."

Admirable sentiments, even if Arsenal's Jiggered Cup history – seven goals in six games at Highbury or the Emirates when the home leg has been first – suggests a different approach. Then again, given that Arsenal have conceded 13 goals in their last four games at home to Chelsea and Manchester United, an open game might be the last thing they need. Especially poor old Sol.

[Mr Kipling]

Can't wait to see the look on Charlie Nicholas's oiley little face after they get destroyed over the 2 legs.

[El Rey, por favor]

FUCKING DEMOLITION TONIGHT! COME ON BARCA!

[xavidub]

4-0 Barca would be nice but it will probably be more like 2-1

[lionel_messias]

I think Barca will win the 2nd leg 4-1 or 5-1, Arse's understaffed backline is now further depleted by injury and this match will be an overwhelming near sexual assault on the Londoners goal.

[Mr Boat]

Sexual eh....I'll be watching this one

[the_prodigal_s0n]

Song out for the second leg:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/05/alex-song-injured-arsenal-barcelona

Ouch.

[mildale]

Song out for the second leg:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/05/alex-song-injured-arsenal-barcelona

Ouch.

Even worse is they might have to play Campbell. Ouchie!

[Mr Kipling]

Campbell vs Messi. Um, wonder who'll come out on top over the 90 mins.

Arsenal rode there luck in the first leg. After Wallcott came on, Barca seemed to stop playing and at times hit the ball long for the last 20 mins. That won't happen at the Nou Camp as the home fans won't allow them to.

6-0 Barca (8-2 agg)

[Brian Blessed]

Ibramovich could be out too. So Barca could be relying on Messi.

[BIGdavalad]

Campbell vs Messi. Um, wonder who'll come out on top over the 90 mins.

Campbell will be rocking and crying on the touchline telling everyone that his head's a cabbage by half time.

[Nick110581]

Have a weird feeling that they will sneak this.

[J_Kopite]

I honestly think that if Barca don't open the scoring in the first half Arsenal can do it.. big if with the makeshift team they'll have though.