***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[Perceptor]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

True, but he'll be a huge loss regardless of how much Arsenal get. I do think though that Arsene had planned for an eventual departure...Ramsey and Nasri.

I know rumors and rumors, but I actually think this could happen. I just hope Cesc tomorrow tells us otherwise. If not - it was a great 7 years

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/18/cesc-fabregas-barcelona-arsenal-transfer

I don't know about anyone else, but I trust the Guardian more than any other UK source. Even if it's still a "rumor" at this point, I'm preparing to lose Cesc. What that means for this moment right now, instead of going to bed, I'm drinking more.

In that article, it says we'd ask for 40 million, and no matter how much we sell him for, we absolutely MUST use the money to replace him. Obviously, we can't just replace him, but we need to make several signings to attempt to fill the void that will be left. If we even want to sniff the top four next season without Cesc, I think we'll need some serious upgrades. Proven players with experience, and not someone with just potential.

[Perceptor]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

40 million would be the minimum bid Arsenal would ask for in any sale. They still own the cards here. In any event, I think Arsene would move to get a replacement - perhaps Gourcuff, a player Wenger has tried to sign in the past

Yes it will be sad to see him go, but if we can go out and get some quality players with the money, then I'll be happier. We've lost Henry, Vieira, Pires etc etc. Arsenal have coped and will continue to cope if we lose Cesc.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...senal-transfer

I don't know about anyone else, but I trust the Guardian more than any other UK source. Even if it's still a "rumor" at this point, I'm preparing to lose Cesc. What that means for this moment right now, instead of going to bed, I'm drinking more.

In that article, it says we'd ask for 40 million, and no matter how much we sell him for, we absolutely MUST use the money to replace him. Obviously, we can't just replace him, but we need to make several signings to attempt to fill the void that will be left. If we even want to sniff the top four next season without Cesc, I think we'll need some serious upgrades. Proven players with experience, and not someone with just potential.

I'm tempted to get really worried about this rumor, and maybe I should be, but until Cesc or Wenger speaks, I'm going to reserve judgment. I agree there seems to be more substance to this than the usual rumors about Cesc and his Barcelona DNA, but it still hasn't been confirmed, and I hope that if it is true, we'd ask for more than 40 million.

[Blaxican8504]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

40 million would be the minimum bid Arsenal would ask for in any sale. They still own the cards here. In any event, I think Arsene would move to get a replacement - perhaps Gourcuff, a player Wenger has tried to sign in the past

Yes it will be sad to see him go, but if we can go out and get some quality players with the money, then I'll be happier. We've lost Henry, Vieira, Pires etc etc. Arsenal have coped and will continue to cope if we lose Cesc.

Going trophy-less since 2005 isn't exactly coping.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

What cracks me up is Barcelona talks about how much they want Cesc and all that. But are unwilling to pay over 30 million pounds for him.

I'm sorry, but Arsenal aren't going to sell Cesc for 30 million pounds. They could care less who developed him. The utter smugness of Barcelona is really annoying.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

What cracks me up is Barcelona talks about how much they want Cesc and all that. But are unwilling to pay over 30 million pounds for him.

I'm sorry, but Arsenal aren't going to sell Cesc for 30 million pounds. They could care less who developed him. The utter smugness of Barcelona is really annoying.

I think they now must know that they're going to be paying more than 30 million, especially after they just said Villa for 34 million.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think they now must know that they're going to be paying more than 30 million, especially after they just said Villa for 34 million.

Barcelona actually thinks that just because Cesc came from there youth ranks that they deserve a discount.

What planet do these guys running Barca come from.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/19/barcelona-cesc-fabregas-arsenal

They now think it will be done within the next 48 hours, as they want to present Cesc along with Villa on Friday.

Madness.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...bregas-arsenal

They now think it will be done within the next 48 hours, as they want to present Cesc along with Villa on Friday.

Madness.

I think it happens.

Guess I will have to get used to not despising Barcelona.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think it happens.

Guess I will have to get used to not despising Barcelona.

I've pretty much just accepted it, and am immediately concerned with upgrading the current squad. I still think we'll get 40 million, and I think we then need to spend all of it, along with the other funds that were said to be there for transfers.

I don't think Chelsea will add too many players, and the stories about United today are about them only being able to add one player. We all know City will add more, so we absolutely must upgrade to players with experience and who can physically play, or I think our target will be fourth place next year.

[Perceptor]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I've accepted it too. I had a feeling this might be his last year, but I was optimistic when we started well. Having said that, Barca will be loaded next year. With Villa and Cesc joining Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, and Alves, they will be good.

I'm sure Wenger planned on losing Cesc within the next couple of years so I hope he signs quality players who can help Arsenal win. They have RVP, Nasri, Arshavin, Vermaelen, and Song as a solid base. Losing Cesc is a huge blow, but if we can get someone like Gourcuff, a good defender, and a keeper, things will not be bleak going forward.

As sad as it is for me to see Cesc leave, it was bound to happen sooner or later. At least now, we will have no excuses not to spend money since we will have more than 40 million along with the other cash from previous transfers to spend

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I've accepted it too. I had a feeling this might be his last year, but I was optimistic when we started well. Having said that, Barca will be loaded next year. With Villa and Cesc joining Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Pique, and Alves, they will be good.

I'm sure Wenger planned on losing Cesc within the next couple of years so I hope he signs quality players who can help Arsenal win. They have RVP, Nasri, Arshavin, Vermaelen, and Song as a solid base. Losing Cesc is a huge blow, but if we can get someone like Gourcuff, a good defender, and a keeper, things will not be bleak going forward.

As sad as it is for me to see Cesc leave, it was bound to happen sooner or later. At least now, we will have no excuses not to spend money since we will have more than 40 million along with the other cash from previous transfers to spend

While it will really hurt to lose him, it also means we lose the constant probing of Barcelona, hearing about his DNA and talks of his inevitable departure.

Still, I'd put up with that x100 if we could keep him.

[Spectre]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Ugh- I guess this was inevitable. I still proudly say I saw Cesc's first official game with the Gunners (Carling Cup 2003), the start of what would be a very memorable career.

Now that the Emirates Stadium debt is paid off, Arsenal better be prepared to SPEND, SPEND, SPEND.

1. Goalkeeper
2. Defender
3. Midfielder

All three are glaring needs for the squad. With RVP, I'm fairly comfortable at striker but there are major question marks going back from there. If Wenger doesn't act aggressively in this transfer window, Arsenal could be in bad shape. Man City will only get better and Liverpool will probably be a bit more consistent next year.

However, with the right moves, he could set up Arsenal to be very dangerous next year. I love RVP, Vermaelen was a phenomenal signing, Nasri played inspired ball, and Arshavin (though at times really lazy) played pretty solid all year. Song really impressed me late in the season as well. However, those guys aren't enough to compete for trophies.

We'll see what happens- exciting time to be a Gunner for sure!

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think it happens.

Guess I will have to get used to not despising Barcelona.

But we still have yet to hear anything from Cesc, Wenger, or Arsenal. As Arseblog points out, there is nothing to indicate that any offer has been made.

Am I concerned? Yes.

But I also think this could just be Barca trying a media blitz in an attempt to convince Cesc and pressure Arsenal.