I spoke with his best mate Senderos in the first week of June last year, and he told me that Cesc was definitely going.
I was really shocked, and didn't really believe it, but a week later Senderos had left The Arsenal, so after that I was sure Cesc was going.
Of course we all know that didn't happen, but then there was this 'greatest talk ever' that Cesc had with Wenger, and I'm guessing that he agreed to one more season, but that was that.
Can't really blame Cesc, as we would all do the same thing if we were at Barca and our boyhood Club The Arsenal wanted us back - especially if The Arsenal were European Champs and best team in the World at the time, and all your mates from International games were there.
Re the price - well, it will be shockingly low, but then it was for Henry and Vieira as well, so nothing new there.
Is it a good thing or bad thing?
Well, Cesc is World Class, and held this shower together for the past few years, so of course he will be missed, BUT...
a) he also restricted us in that AW built everything around him
b) he isn't a 'Captain', so hopefully we will finally get a 'proper' Capt
c) having your best player and Capt at the Club even though EVERYONE at the Club knows he doesn't want to be here is clearly not a good idea, even though Wenger obviously thinks that this is some kind of brilliantly cunning secret plan.
d) FINAL PROOF that Wenger's youth policy has failed. Getting young promising players and paying them incredible amounts in the hope that they will love the Club and never leave and play their hearts out for us DOES NOT WORK!
It is obviously a seriously bad thing losing your Captain and best player for peanuts to a 'rival', but there's very little we can do about it. Certainly nothing that we as mere fans can do about it, and nothing constructive that the Club can do either.
Playing him in the reserves for the next few years is not an option, although it would be wonderful to do that ( like with Wiltord ), and clearly the only thing we can do is take the money and re-invest it sensibly.
Wenger has had a year to search out a replacement, and to be honest I think he won't sign anyone for that position, but go with Wilshere and Ramsey ( until they want to fuck off ) and then there'll be Frimpong and A.N. Other to fill their places.
That's life, I guess.
Onwards and Upwards!
!
