Buy back Cesc Fabregas, or let Man Utd buy him?

[northbank123]

In reality as well as Flamini was playing he should have been dropped or punished in some way for refusing to sign a new deal - it must have been so obvious to those in the know that he was going to fuck off on a free. Such short-term thinking to sell Diarra.

Yes but we got Ramsey and Coquelin who had 'great potential'.......potential that 5 years later is still awaiting fulfilment. Still we've got all the time in the world......

Never ever ever ever ever rely on potential to replace ability. In the very long run you MAY reap the rewards of that potential - but you better expect a barren run in the interim at the very least.

[spendsum4uckingmoney]

In reality as well as Flamini was playing he should have been dropped or punished in some way for refusing to sign a new deal - it must have been so obvious to those in the know that he was going to fuck off on a free. Such short-term thinking to sell Diarra.

I could of swore the reason why he left was because Wenger decided against it at the beginning of the season, cus he wanted to see flamini earn an extension.

[g88ner]

I could of swore the reason why he left was because Wenger decided against it at the beginning of the season, cus he wanted to see flamini earn an extension.

That's how I remember it as well. I can't criticise Wenger for that though because until the 2007/08 season, I didn't think Famini had done much to deserve a new contract and if he had been sold (wasn't his best offer from the mighty Birmingham City?) then I doubt many would have been that bothered.

As it turned out, he took his chance, had a stormer of a season, kept his place in the side ahead of Gilberto and Diarra, and got his dream move to AC Milan.

[northbank123]

Flamini nearly left at the beginning of that season because he'd barely got a game in his preferred position. I'm fairly sure Wenger told him he could go. I understand why he hadn't been nailed down to a deal before that, and agree with that. I think everybody knew that was the situation, still doesn't explain why Wenger sold Diarra as it was becoming more and more obvious Flamini would be fucking off in a few months.

As for Gilberto, I don't have good memories of his last season. I remember him coming off the bench to shore up narrow leads and ending up being a liability. Probably still a preferable option to what we actually had going into 08/09 or certainly would have added something to the squad, but for me was a distant 3rd as a priority behind Flamini and Diarra.

[QuartzGooner]

Diarra - Have posted about this before, you won't find this in any newspaper but he was causing trouble in training to the extent that manager and other players were fed up with him.
Good player, but we made a profit.

Flamini - There was little we could do to keep him, a big money offer might have won him over but once AC Milan come knocking and you are of part Italian heritage it can be had to turn down.

Gilberto - His legs went the last season though he had a good run of games at the end of the season.

The failure was not letting all three go in one season, it was replacing them with Song.
Just Song.
A player who could tackle, but was a significant drop in quality.

Denilson and Diaby were already at the club, neither was an out and out defensive midfielder.
Denilson could be described as a "Holding" midfielder but was not good enough to be a long term squad member.

[highburyJD]

I think Flamster played because Cesc enjoyed the partnership
should have been phased out when he didnt sign, Edu was

[DB10GOONER]

Quartz - I'd disagree that Song could tackle tbh. He could certainly lunge in, but that was about it. His timing was appalling, usually catching the player and nowhere near the ball, and his lack of any pace whatsoever meant he often just body-checked the oppo player trying to run past him. He gave away so many unnecessary freekicks he was a real liability.

[Tomáš]

NO!

Cesc Fàbregas should play in every team. One of the best attacking midfielder ever! He just has to play!

[highburyJD]

NO!

Cesc Fàbregas should play in every team. One of the best attacking midfielder ever! He just has to play!

exactly

[nut flush gooner]

According to the press this morning, after all the history pizzagate et al, would cesc really move to manure.

[REB]

doubtful, but in football you never know.

[nut flush gooner]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 14167.html

Here is the article, you kind of think he would suit the scholes type role. BUT, if he loves arsenal as much as he claims to, there is only one prem club he would play for.

We should make a £15 mill bid for him, and rebuild the squad around him. I don't think europa league football would be a problem for cesc for one season, he just wants to play.

If wilshere can get fit, him and fab in the middle would be tasty.

[highburyJD]

agree with Reb and NFG
seems unlikely, he's a proper Gooner
if he is moving, we should be in for him - Wilshere, Cesc and Santi could weave some seriously pretty patterns
but what we've really missed is his directness on the counterattack, and ability to get in the box

[Bradywasking]

[quote="highburyJD"] - Wilshere, Cesc and Santi could weave some seriously pretty patterns

But where would Diaby fit in ? (actually realised I typed the words Diaby and fit beside each other, that's a first)

[highburyJD]

Diaby fit? damn.
Add epilepsy to the list, poor Abou