If I Were Cesc Fabregas

Posted by Andre The Giant

At Come on The Arsenal we have so far resisted entering into the shit storm that is the Cesc Fabregas transfer saga. But as I sit in my garden, in Barcelona-esque weather, being bombarded by massive green shiny flying things, I feel like now is the time to leap onto the bandwagon before it rides off into the distance with our star player aboard.

There is a laughable article in the News of The World today (I am not going to link it for fear of giving credence to their bullshit) about a conversation that Wenger had with Cesc on Friday night. The concept that the NOTW would have access to this kind of information is too laughable for words. However, the key point for me is that I really don’t think it matters what Cesc wants. At the end of the day, he is a very valuable asset to Arsenal Football Club and there will be no deal done unless Arsenal can get value for money for that asset. Fabregas is professional enough to not throw his toys out of the pram like Adebeyor and if he does stay another season or two he will give no less than he normally does, which is 100%. Not 110%, because that’s mathematically impossible.

If I was Fabregas then what would I do? OK, so let’s put it in context. I have magically become an awesome footballer overnight (I am shit by the way, a glory hunting goal sitter who can’t tackle for love nor money). Obviously I was born in London (OK, Kent, but it’s inside the M25) and I’ve supported Arsenal since I was 6 years old. I went to the Arsenal academy but was snapped up by Valencia when I was 16 because I wanted to get as far away from White Hart Lane as possible. I am a hero at Valencia and one of the most promising midfielders in the world. I am paid a fortune to play every week, I am still young and there’s every chance that the team might improve enough to win some trophies in the not so distant future. All my mates, however, live in London. Arsenal want to sign me but I haven’t really achieved much in Spain and I am getting a bit pissed off with not being able to do that jumpy up and down group celebration that you get to do when you win a trophy. Would I want to move to Arsenal? Yes, of course. Would I move to Arsenal at this stage of my career? No, I wouldn’t. I signed a contract with Valencia and they made me the player I am. I believe it is my duty to help them achieve what they are capable of achieving. Once I do that, then I will go and play for Arsenal because my job will be done.

The simple point is that comparing Cesc to Henry and Viera is a bit of a red herring. Both players have recently returned to Arsenal and they were greeted with standing ovations. They are true legends because they helped Arsenal achieve huge success. In 50 years time, they will be remembered as Arsenal greats. Fabregas has achieved nothing with Arsenal apart from an FA Cup medal from a game even I thought we didn’t deserve to win. He must be able to see that he has the potential to be one of these great players. If he leaves now, he will not be remembered in 50 years time. Well, he might be remembered, but it won’t be for being an Arsenal player. There are boxes that remain unticked and it is his duty to make sure those boxes are filled before he starts the next stage of his life in Spain. I refuse to believe that doesn’t have any bearing on his decision and I am sure it is these types of comments that Wenger will have made if he really did call him on Friday night.

In reality I am bit scared of the concept of Barcelona with Fabregas. The thought of him linking up with Messi would be a sight to behold. But in truth, I think he will be absorbed by the team. He will be playing with 10 other ‘heroes’ and it seems unlikely that he will ever reach the cult status that he would at Arsenal if he stayed another year or two and won stuff. Everyone wants to be remembered for doing good things, not for quitting when the going gets tough and the chips are down (and other such overused phrases to describe a situation that isn’t going too well). I was actually a bit surprised when I heard the whole ‘I want to leave’ story. As far as I am aware, I don’t think he has actually made an official statement. But given the voracity with which he hit the penalty against Barcelona, with a broken leg for fuck’s sake, it does seem strange that he is so keen to jump ship now. Perhaps, like most Arsenal fans, media and pundits, he put too much emphasis on the last 5 or 6 games of the season. There is a bigger picture, it’s just hard to see through the 3-2 loss against Wigan. Don’t think about that, think about the 6-1 drubbing of Everton at the beginning of the season. It can be like that again, I promise!

As I have mentioned a couple of times on the blog, I am a betting man. Not a terribly good one it should be said, but I do like the mathematics of a good bet. I can’t find any odds on the transfer going ahead but, personally, I don’t think it will. I think that Wenger has a knack of highlighting the crucial parts of a situation to a player, which is good because Cesc will need to understand that he has a job to do still. But more importantly, I don’t think Barcelona have enough money and they need a lot of money. £80m should do it, or £40m if they want to chuck Messi in too. Get that fax drafted you arrogant twats.

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