As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
Cesc is one of the best players we've had in our midfield and if we'd had a team capable of challenging I have no doubt he'd be here now still.
But he's born and bred catalan, and Barce came knocking, with Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa. Whatever you think of them personally, they are world class footballers, winning trophies left right and centre.
Why would Cesc not want to go home?
Exactly, some people just arent happy if they arent cunting someone off.
The Fabregas thing is done now, at least it's over. Top bloke and great asset to the club. Best of luck to him in the future.
If you want to blame someone then blame the media, Barcelona, his new team mates, Arsene Wenger or the Arsenal board.
If you want to c**t him off, then I presume Liam Brady and Thierry Henry are similar because they left for similar reasons and in a similar manner.
I think part of the reason he's being slagged off (at least for me) is that being in Spain has miraculously cured his 'injury'.
That and 'I've been waiting for this moment for years' then why sign a fucking contract extension?
I had so much respect for him in the past, at times he did show his loyalty to us but he's let (even helped) his team mates and his club fuck us over big time
13.55 Cesc is speaking in English now. In summary: he likes Arsenal, he likes Arsène Wenger and he's very, very sorry:
I'm sorry to the fans that I could not say anything for the last two or three months, but Arsenal would not let me. I spent a third of my life there, but I am nothing to the club, I am just a servant. I gave everything in the eight years I was there, but it didn't show in the trophy cabinet. That will be the biggest regret of my career.
Cesc Fábregas left London with tears in his eyes and urged Arsenal to stick with Arsène Wenger – describing the coach as "the best person I have met in football". The Catalan also insisted that Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have the talent to take control of Arsenal's midfield for the future. Wilshere, he said, will be the England captain within three years and that Ramsey is on course to become Arsenal's "next star".
The saga finally came to an end on Monday when Fábregas was at long last presented as a Barcelona player after a three-year pursuit. He said that he was very happy to fulfil a childhood dream but admitted that there were "mixed emotions." He admitted that the frustration of not winning anything in the last six years weighed heavily and revealed that he had been unable to articulate his gratitude during his last meeting with Wenger without crying.
"I spoke to [Wenger] on Friday to say goodbye and got very emotional because he has been like a father figure," Fábregas said. "I couldn't even talk when I wanted to say how grateful I was for what he has done to me, so I had to send a message afterwards saying thanks for everything. If it was not for him I would not be here today to live my dream. I will never have enough words to say how grateful I am. I went from being a boy to a man and they gave me absolutely everything in football. I have mixed emotions. Life goes on: Arsenal will always be there, the fans will always be there. Players come and go; the club will always be bigger than them."
"At Arsenal, there were finals and semi-finals but we always lacked that little extra push to win something. That was hard to take. It was not that we didn't win titles it was that we kept going through the same routine, the same things happening to us and us messing up. I gave everything for Arsenal but it didn't show in the [trophy] cabinet because I only won one FA Cup. That is the biggest regret I will have in my career – not to be able to lift a trophy as Arsenal captain."
Fábregas also noted his sadness at the way that he ultimately left the Emirates. "I will have time to talk about [my departure]. I am sure I will do an interview especially for them [the Arsenal fans] at some stage," he said. "I am sorry I couldn't say anything for the last two and half months, Arsenal would not allow me to talk, I was disappointed and upset about that but it had to be like that. I still have, personally, a great relationship with them and I am disappointed to have maybe lost [the affection of] some of the fans.
"I am sorry I couldn't say anything, I am sorry. I was very, very sad to be leaving. I spent a third of my life there – eight years."
Despite those frustrations, Fábregas added: "If Arsenal want to keep being the club they have been, they must always remain under his [Wenger's] control because he is the best and everyone respects him. He will always be the best person I have met in football." He also insisted that Arsenal have the squad to continue to compete.
"But I am sure that they will be a strong team again – they are one of the biggest teams in the world. They will be OK without me as they were without Vieira, without Henry, without Bergkamp," Fábregas said.
"There is not even a question [over whether or not Arsenal's midfield is in good hands]. I have seen them play for years, both Aaron and Jack. Jack will be the England captain in the next two or three years, there is no doubt. You don't have to be a magician to see that. He has the passing game and he will be an even better player in the future. There is not even a question in my mind about that. As for Aaron: his engine is unbelievable, his final ball will get better and he will be the next big star at Arsenal. They are winners and they will be amazing for the club for sure."
DB10GOONER wrote:He's gone. Whoopee-do. Get over it.
Only thing I'm a bit pissed off about is the money. We basically took one up the Jayson ( ) on this deal. Our top dogs are spineless puppies.
And for me he is not a legend. No way near. He is a brilliant footballer and was the best player in an average Arsenal squad. But legend? No way.
Well I for one certainly feel that not only was he a brilliant footballer but that he would have been one of the best players in almost any Arsenal squad.
The complete shit he's been surrounded with these last few years has no bearing on how good the man actually was.
I think we'll find in the next 6 months just exactly what we have lost.
But yeah, we've been totally shafted on the price. Spineless *word censored*.
) on this deal. Our top dogs are spineless puppies. 
