Friday, March 29, 2024

Cesc: Ozil took my Arsenal place

Cesc Fabregas has confirmed he held talks with Arsene Wenger about a return to the Emirates only to be told that Mesut Ozil had taken his place.

The Spanish international completed a move to Chelsea *spit* on Thursday after Barcelona made it clear he was surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou.

As has been well documented the Gunners, despite having a first option on the Spanish international, opted not to indulge in a reunion with a player who made his debut for the club over 10 years ago.

“We talked with Wenger,” Fabregas told the BBC, “but he said he’d find it hard to make a place for me on the pitch as Mesut Ozil had my position covered.”

Arsenal fans can only hope the decision doesn’t come back to bite the manager in the arse. Knowing our luck Mesut Ozil will be eaten by Amazonian piranhas at the World Cup.

In other news, Joel Campbell will join up with the Arsenal first team for pre-season.

Talking to The Times (paywalled) in the aftermath of the Costa Rican international’s man of the match performance against Uruguay, Arsene Wenger confirmed the 21-year-old will train with the first team when he’s done in Brazil.

“He will definitely come back to us for pre-season,” the boss said. “He is maturing well.”

Quizzed about his future yesterday, Campbell corroborated that his short-term future is in London. “Of course I have to go back because I have a contract with Arsenal but the most important thing just now is my country and the World Cup.”

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raron aamsey

gutted mate

raron aamsey

I don’t hate him for going to Chelsea though, and don’t understand people who do. It looks as if Chelsea were the only realistic option open to him, and Barcelona were forcing him out. What else is he meant to do?

Good luck to him, but I hope his team never win anything ever again and Mourinho dies by the hand of his sith apprentice.

Barry Webb

Typically, in a World Cup year, most business is done after the final. If that is the case this year, then there may well have been plenty of opportunities for Fabregas to find a team. Me thinks it has more to do with him not being a first choice starter for Spain so this World Cup is hardly a showcase for him. It will be interesting to see if he gets a start in Spain’s next game. If he doesn’t, what does that say?

Con Fucius

Agree. He wanted to come back to England and we wouldn’t have him back, so where could a player of his stature go? United, City, Chelsea. I think I would’ve rather liked to see him at United, but with no Champions League for them next season I can see why he passed on their (potential) interest. Which leaves City and Chelsea and I’m not sure which is better.

Geezer

I don’t hate him either, as he has made a move that is good for him professionally. What saddens me is that all his words while at the club now seem hollow. He said them only to please the fans and never meant any of them.

Gunner From Another Mother

That sith comment is pure gold

Fergie the Gooner

If Wenger was sitting on a deck chair on Copacabana beach with a cigar at the ready, having already signed a good striker and full back I don’t think we would be getting so worked up about the Cesc situation.

Formerly known as El Capitano

The guy is dick head. I find it seriously painful as he is hands down my favourite Arsenal player ever, but as Bloggs pointed out recently, Cesc is where is right now due to the choices he made. HE forced a move to Barca when he still had 3 years left on his deal at Arsenal,. We all loved him here, he was our talisman, and I’m sure Arsene loved him as well, and I’m sure he would of explained to him that the grass isn’t always greener,.. but ‘hey’ .. there you go, he’s total fucked it, and it… Read more »

Moxrex

“Ozil took my Arsenal place”

Well he took your place because you left and he took it 3 years after you left so, it seems Arsenal waited for your return as well. Now when Arsenal moved on, you come back and say Arsenal turned me down.

Not great to join the direct local rivals of the club you always said to love.

Indonesian Gooner

Boohoo. Piss off Cesc.

Tian

Cesc is a snake… ‘blah blah I tried to come back..’ well he went to one of our most hated teams & managers…he could have gone to a different country…

Jales

The rejected one.

heroldgoon

Think the real issue here is

Why do people leave the Arsenal?

Daniel

He definitely didn’t appreciate what he had at Arsenal. Not the first one – Hleb too.

Chris O

Petit, Hleb, Song, Cesc, even Henry. It’s a long list of dissatisfied ex-Gunners in Barcelona.

Isha nla

Amazonian piranhas. Lol

Bould's Eyeliner

The question is, are there any other types of piranhas?

Arsenal 4eva

Still think we could of had them both what an amazing midfield we would of had. Would of been worth it just so he didn’t go to Chelsea. Also Campbell looked very good last night think he could be a great option for us next season

Oursane Vengar

It’s “would have had”, not “would of”. This is something I am tired of.

seb

*Tired have

Amusa

I don’t hate him, but I don’t like him much now.
It pisses me off that, we are the least cuntish of the football clubs that I can think of.
Yet our players and captains sign for our rivals without hesitance.
Fuck this shit.

dogbreath

give the captaincy to per. he’s a stayer

Kos the boss

Gallas-spurs
RVP-united
Vieira-city
Cesc-chelsea
Arsenal captains love playing for our rivals don’t they?

OzGooner

Gallas to spurs was hardly a heartbreak. In fact, I was happy to see that fat cunt with the spuds. Mediocre team for a mediocre player. Sol to Arsenal was a slightly better deal imo.

Maniac

It’s not about the money, money, money … oh wait, it is.

Herbie

There’s a phrase my stepfather uses which Cesc may keep in mind

“You shit your nest mate”

Yoyo Sanogoals

I’m more in interested in Joel Campbell tbh. Do you think We’ll play with a 2 striker system to accomodate him like City’s 4-2-2-2 formation?

Genorious

He’s a promising player, but I doubt Wenger will see him as being ready to start regularly yet, let alone altering the system wholesale to play to his strengths!

argonaut

Why the hell not? He’s been playing Sanogo, who has yet to even score. Meanwhile Campbell is terrorising defences and putting in man-of-the-match performances. I fail to see how we would need to alter the system to accommodate him either. We need pace in the side and depth in the squad. He would provide both.

Bould's Eyeliner

Sanogo has had something to offer even without having the least bit of attacking potential, it’s really amazing. His pace and strength helped hold up the ball and keep Arsenal on the attacking side against Hull in the FA cup Final. Mind you then, it was Hull….

JRK

Campbell seems comfortable floating from centre, right and left and is therefore a much better option than say Theo Wallcott upfront (plus when it comes to physicality and an ability to shoot from a distance….attributes we have missed for far too long, he has it all)

Arsenal Till I die

We don’t need to change the formation. He’s more of a winger than striker.

Gunners2G

Mesut Ozil left Real Madrid to play for Arsenal, Cesc left Arsenal as a captain and paid from his own pocket to play for Barcelona, I think i said enough

Reidar

Thank you. I was pretty conflicted about this whole ordeal, but everything sort of came together once I read that. Building your team around the players who show loyalty, who’ve showed they’re willing to forsake bigger clubs because they want to build something makes alot more sense than building your team around people who’ve already shown they’ll leave when something better comes along.. especially when the former are damn good footballers. This Arsenal team has shown talent, remarkable spirit and we’ve never been this close to joining the ranks of truly amazing teams. I really, really fucking look forward to… Read more »

deano

Ramsey could score 50 goals and create 50 goals throughout the year mate and the award would still go to Messi or Ronaldo.

As for Cesc playing for them cunts just disgusts me.

heroldgoon

but i think ramseys pure charm and likeable nature would see him scoop it ahead of the self centred ronaldo and the genetically engineered messi.

HEHEHE

hansolo

brilliant statement. i really hope ozil becomes a beast…

Titus

And looking at Özil contra Cesc in La Liga, Özil was allways a way better player. Even this season the worst in Özils career, he still created alot more chances in 26 appearances for Arsenal than Çesc did in 36 games for Barca. Cesc created 58 chances in 36 games this season. Özil created 78 in 26 games for us in his worst season to date. Even in the worst season of his career he created more chances than anyone in premier league Per minute played except David Silva. Difference is Silva had a good season, Özil a crap one… Read more »

Mootilated

Ozil also stated that he really enjoys being the focal point of this Arsenal team. And (apparently, always take things with a pinch of salt) he said he is enjoying his time and football with the Gunners more than he did at Real Madrid, so hopefully we have a keeper!

Goonerman

Best comment of the whole Cesc saga. Put’s it into perspective.

Bobby the beast

Hey. Fabregas just pointed out why we shouldnt care about him.
We have a player called Mesut Özil. Not a bad no. 10 last time I checked.
Lets put faith in our Özil and show him some love.

LordKramuk

suck it Cesc

The Panther

Serves him right. Even at Chavs he should be wary. If Maureen can bench Oscar who I think is just as good as Cesc, what makes Cesc so sure of succeeding there? Cesc can’t defend, cant run for 90 Minutes like Sneidjer when he was at Inter nor take those hard shots like Lampard used to. he’s a gamble and may just turn out to be a Torres.

R

Honestly I don’t see why we are mulling over this decision by wenger not to sign cesc, that 30 million can be spent elsewhere, positions where we actually NEED players and where we actually NEED depth but of course don’t get me wrong he’s a quality player just don’t think we need him, so let’s stop pondering over what could have been and look to the quality players wenger will sign! COYG!

WindyCityArse

The current side is crying out for Balotelli…. come on Wenga… spend the wonga.

Cannoner

This is not how I remember the prodigal son story ended. Sad still

Beagleboy

Clear case of reversed Oedipal logic 😉

heroldgoon

Ozil over fabregas any day for me.

i may be wrong but fabregas seems to be an early bloomer. He hasnt been anything to write home about for Barcelona and no matter how distateful his move to chelsea im happy we’re going with Ozil.

Marcus

What’s done is done, no use dwelling over it. Let’s just hope Arsene has some good stuff in store for us !

2014-2015 = the year we've been waiting for

Striker: Mario Balotelli
Left Winger: Antoine Griezeman or Marco Reus
Defensive Midfielder: Paul Pogba
Rightback: Serge Aurier

It’s (going to be) fucking excellent.

T7Rosicky

And was the end of the conversation? I wonder if Cesc just said “OK” or “But boss I can change, please don’t do this :(“

Rectum_Spectrum

Fine. Done. Makes sense. 2 to three signings can make this a wistfull thing to discuss over a pint. Who cares what chelsea do? They will sign big players every window. If ozil improves on his numbers from last season he’ll probably out perform cesc anyway.

Hutch

£27 million to buy him back and then roughly £7 million per year for his wages.

Wenger made the right choice.

He shouldn’t have fucking left in the first place.

gooner

I will always feel bad about it. He’s at fuckin Chelsea ….. playing for some cunt and I still have his shirt with his name and number 15!

that’s how much it hurts

d7g7

Grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

mjw3

True. Pitch maintenance at the Emirates is first class!

safety

Anyone who has seen the sandpit pitch at the Bridge would concur

global warming

If i remember right, we won the best pitch award last season and chelshit had a potato garden sometime back when ronaldinho schooled them. Cescs (suks) to play for whore-rino!

global warming

If i remember right, we won the best pitch award last season and chelshit had a potato garden sometime back when ronaldinho schooled them. Cescs (suks) to play for whore-rimo!

James

That’s how I imagined it went – you break up with a girl for a prettier one, get dumped and go back to her, but find her in bed with Channing Tatum. (Or Andrea Pirlo.)

I would have liked him back, but there is some satisfaction with blowing him off with a £43M replacement, silverware in hand.

Rambozil

well said m8

dogbreath

love that analogy mate

block 9

Simple sell ozil and have him back.
I’d have thought that was obvious.

Aedan

You would be incorrect

hansolo

daft

AP

True blockhead.

East Gooner

The thing Cesc does not realise is that we are not that sad that he did not join us. What hurts is that he went to Chelsea, our most hated rivals. It is probably worse than him joining Spuds as lets face it, they are a joke. But he strengthens a real rival significantly.
And Mourinho is a cunt. And don’t even get me started on John fucking Terry

Terry

Oh well bed made lay in it MR fabrechav

Arseface

At the end of the day it’s time we stopped living in the past, it’s all about building for the future, cesc is part of that past and tbh what did we win with cesc??, ozil, wilshere etc is where it’s at.

Good-Bloke

I’m coming to terms with it, but I wish so much we signed him. There’s fucking room for him in any squad, and to see him line up against us for them lot who are currently better than us anyway is going to be a real sickened and could really bite us hard.

DR

I don’t know if Arsene is right or wrong.Only time will tell that. But I do not support this decision. Just an opinion.

rohit

Hey blogs,

I have been reading it elsewhere but there is no article on your site. Have we signed a new fitness coach who is like the Pires of fitness coaches????

Sonsofwenger

Mourinho is probably telling cesc to bring this up repeatedly to the media to die discontent among us gunners. Let’s just trust that wenger knows what he’s doing and save or judgments for when the transfer window closes.

ClockEndRider

Good call.
Personally I can’t wait to see Cesc playing as Mourinhos 5th choice defensive midfielder I n one of the not very special ones many bus parking games…..

JJ

Still, on the brightside Chelsea have to pay us £5.6 million for the privilage!!

Arsenal 4eva

Campbell can play out wide or through the middle. Got great experience on loan last year and with a good pre-season will be a great option. Fuck fabregas now anyway he’s the past lets look to the future

Lord Nicki B

Cesc : Arsenal were obviously first choice, cause of contractual reasons.

There, he’s burned all bridges.

Stop moaning about Cesc and back the men in red and white.

mgo

Bulls*it. He’s a Chelsea player now, can’t exactly say he doesn’t want to be there.

Geezer

He’s there because he wants to be there. Have no doubts about that.

Julio Baptista's humble alter ego

Its not like Chelsea were the only team he had offers from, he said so himself he had received a few offers and felt this was the best option for him. I’d have rather him played for fucking spuds than call maureen a “World Class” manager, the bastard.

mgo

When both teams you supposedly love don’t want you, you’re kinda allowed to say “ah, fuck it” and do what’s best for you for practical reasons. And no one should really blame you. It’s his life and career we’re talking about.

_

Arsenal kind of loved him, especially before he decided to fuck off.

Gunnerwinalot

Chelsea have Hazard & Oscar but can still find room for Cesc! I just hope these reports of Santi’s wife being unsettled are rubbish otherwise even more reason to have bought Fanregas back. I know we need players in other positions more but I’m still gutted as I always thought he’d be back as he was our best midfielder since Vieira & he’s only 27! Still we have to move on as it’s not going to change!

AFCEdwards

They are rubbish, just like they were rubbish last year. Apparently she’s only unhappy during the summer but she can tolerate English winters as they are more comparable to Spain.

Jake the Cake

Özil over Fabregas. Any day, any time.
Simples

fedora

Rumours say mourinho’s after Song as well. Hope he gets all the ex arses, including ‘you guys’ vein popping van persie, together and ensure a soid 4th spot for many years to come

Gerald

Wenger one day said he will never be a prisoner of prayers.And Arsenal isn’t a dumping place,to me Wenger took a right decision.

Bolarinwa Mayowa

The boy’s got pace, power, decent dribbling skill, aggression, defence spliting passes and great shooting ability. What a magnificient performance from the lad.

General leaveit

Not that fussed we didn’t sign him, but fucking Chelsea? Thought he had more about him than that. In the words of a real Arsenal legend Tony Adams, it’s disappointing.

bb6

Its bullshit. We had a chance to improve even if cesc would have to fight for a place. We also had a chance to stop our rivals improving but we bottled it. We all KNOW next season we’ll have injuries and an experienced midfielder would be useful. Not diaby or kalstrom. Cesc freakin fabregas. There’s gooners out there sayin ‘its ok hes over the hill now’ how? Since when is a spain international from Barcelona a shit signing? Even if he was we have the manager who gets the best out of him. ‘Oh but we needed to save money… Read more »

ron1niro

It’s getting fucking ridiculous. First of all, Cesc left Arsenal for Barcelona. The whole team was built around him, he was the captain and he decided to leave. He forced a move out and even paid part of his transfer fee. He doesn’t “love Arsenal”. He is a professional who makes decisions that he thinks are best for him. Arsene made a decision that he thinks is best for the club. We don’t need Fabregas, especially for 30M plus wages. You don’t spend that amount of money on back ups. Secondly, in his position, we have Ozil, Santi, Rambo, Jack,… Read more »

Kiggeman

To be honest, you can’t change the old man’s way of doing things. He doesn’t like spending, and if he does he will always try to get the player for as little as possible. Shameful bids so that the clubs we are trying to buy from will be pissed off, I mean £40m+1 was probably the most ridiciously thing I ever saw. £15m bid for Griezmann? What is wenger smoking? Don’t expect big signings, there will be none. According to a lot of news Chelsea are in talks with Sami Khedira as well, which was one of our targets right?… Read more »

Bob A

I think a lot of readers have got it wrong, lets face it if you were going to buy a secondhand car which the owners was asking offers above £5000 would you offer 5500,6000,6800 no you would offer a small amount above the asking price.
As far as Griezzman and Khedira are concerned a number of clubs are intrested as
are Arsenal not all of them can buy them only one can,and for your intrest I believe that AW as some agreement with Sociead relating to the buy ouy clause for Vela.

Kiggeman

If you’d offer me £2500 for a car with a value above £5000 then I would be kinda pissed off as a seller. 🙂

Zyrth

Yes, but you (car dealer) valued the car to be above 5000. I just offered 5001, nothing wrong with that.

Arsene Wenger in Football Manager 2014

That Fabregas money Wenger saved is for Marco Reus. He’s German, Puma sponsored, a quality left winger that we need, he’s direct with pace, can pass and shoot, and he’s injured at the moment. That’s all the boxes ticked. Sign him up Arsene!

Aside from that, Joel Campbell looked impressive yesterday night. It’ll be interesting next season with him, Gnabry and possibly the Ox competing for a place on the wing! Exciting times ahead.

Plev

Dortmund are Reus’ boyhood club, and he’s said the only club he’d ever leave them for are Barca (**vomits**). Plus there’s no way Dortmund would sell after losing Lewandowski for nothing.. He would be dynamite in the red and white though. But he’s NOT the striker we need

Faxe

That’s a really classless, divisive and assholic thing to say. Seems designed to sow discontent and ensure that whenever Ozil as a quiet game people will talk about Cesc. I lost a lot of respect for Cesc reading this.

mgo

He’s just bitter.

Erwan

Agreed and it also seems to be designed to spur discontent amongst Arsenal fans, to turn us against ourselves over whether we should have taken him back or not – and it seems to be working in some quarters. We can’t fall for that bullshit.

Arsene as usual takes the high road and stays quiet on the issue, even when directly asked while Cesc keeps attempting to absolve himself of guilt and throw it all on Wenger. I doubt it was as easy and straightforward as Cesc is making it seem.

heroldgoon

You are in my head sir, think Mou might have even put hm up to this and fabregas being the snubbed little unwanted barca/arsenal boy is playing to his mindgames

We’ve got Ozzzzzzzilllllll!

goooonner

its unbelievable that fans still thinks AW refused because of “no place”. The only reason cesc agreed to be sold from barca is he is guaranted higher salary. he is sick of playing high number of games jn barca while paid much lower than the others. he wanted a new contract. barca refused. he wanted back to arsenal in hope of higher salary. AW is still a tight arse. so he moves to a place where the manager “conviced” him very very quickly. a place where salary number doesnt matter. face it. gerrad n messi wont stay if their salary… Read more »

BennyGooner

I agree with ‘East Gooner’s comment. I’m not really bothered that we didnt re-sign cesc. I’m just REALLY pissed off that he has gone to fucking Chelsea. Seriously of all the teams in the fucking world, the self confessed “Always a gooner” had to go play for that cunt Mourhino. We hate Mourhino & Chelsea. HE fucking hated them at arsenal and as recently as last seasons champions league campaign whilst playing for Barca. I am genuinely confused by his decision to go there….

Gooneron

Which sucks given how he was an Arsenal legen. Now he’ll be playing with a point to prove to Barca and Arsenal. Shame really. At the end of the day Cesc just has to blame himself. He was a god at Arsenal

Sam

I’d rather take song back than cesc. Holding mid fielder is more needed. As well as the other obvious positions. I’d love Alexis Sanchez

Brözil

yup. that’s what happens. you can’t go home again x2. he was once my favorite player, now he plays for the enemy, so fuck him! now let’s get Pogba and push on

Bruce

Cess made his own bed. I support WENGER 100%. Now Ozil needs to prove him right too. Cesc is a traitor. He left, Arsene had nothing to do with it.

Yann Le Pentrec

I do like the fact that we got almost £6m from this deal though. Makes it less horrible that it might’ve been.

Bob A

In fact you are not correct we got Cesc for free or very little as a 16 year old, we had 9 years out of him , sold to Barca for £ 35 million then got the extra 6 mill so in total £ 41 million plus 9years sounds like AW had a good deal.

redsy

Hope cambell turns out to play as well as anelka did as a kid ….not sure why some said hes not ready I mean he performed against utd champs league same in world cup the two highest stages he would get far better supply playing for us and he does it against the big teams no fear ….as for cesc its sad he is ending up with regrets like helb but it was his decision to leave so fuck him he can hug terry every weekend.

Swedegunner

two great performances doesn’t make a great player

Tony Hall

Joel hasn’t just had two great performances, he has had a great season for Olympiakos … check out some of the assists and goals in this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svb-vARDHs8

Enough Cesc talk, tired of it. He is history, time to plan for the future and make Joel feel welcome at the Emirates, the lad has talent!

Swedegunner

Not too impressed by someone making it big in Greece. A swede called Marcus Berg was the top scorer in Greece this season and he’s not good enough to tie Girouds shoelaces

Swedegunner

Although I should say I really like Campbell for depth, but he won’t be a world beater for us

assistantref

Yep. He’s had a great season as Olympiakos. He can finish, he can run, he can dribble, he can pass.

And I think most importantly of all, he’s got that same confidence-bordering-on-but-not-quite-spilling-over-into-arrogance that Henry had, which is what turned him from a merely great player into the world’s best striker in his prime.

Whether Campbell can really deliver or not I don’t think anyone can say at this stage, but he appears to have all the tools.

Kiggeman

Wenger logic, wouldn’t surprise me if this great manager decides to let Santi go to Atletico and we will be one player short in that very position. That would be an reason for him to bring in an much cheaper alternative from France.

AP

Except your logic fails to explain why he got Santi in the first place and not go for the cheap French.

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