tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post9156027394411119481..comments2024-03-22T05:48:26.129-05:00Comments on Braves & Birds: Unintentional Honesty from Arsene WengerMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-51983594287709390272010-08-18T00:07:03.797-05:002010-08-18T00:07:03.797-05:00This entry comes across as an odd apologetic for B...This entry comes across as an odd apologetic for Barca during the Cesc saga. I'd be curious to hear Arsene's true thoughts on their behavior. I also think the apologetic based on one facet of this saga (I hate calling it that... British soccer journalistic theatrics.. grumble grumble) and one quote from Arsene is unpersuasive.<br /><br />Some reasons:<br /><br />Diaby/Denilson aren't so much the relevant comparisons as are Nasri/Song, where the dropoff is not as absurd as you make it out to be. These are young starters for a massive club- it isn't like we're talking about scrubs here. Also, I'm unclear when you think CF, Iniesta, and Xavi will all be tooting their horns together in the same orchestra?<br /><br />What kind of top musician wants to trade "starting at awesome club" for "being backup/hoping that starter gets injured at awesomer club"? Honestly, the fact that Cesc even wants this transfer signals weakness and inability to lead to me. And I'm an Arsenal fan. He's captain for lack of better options.<br /><br />Also, come off it on the "we're only total DBags on Cesc and not other players, so somehow that makes us not DBags" line. "We're not as bad as Real" is the same weak defense you offered up last time. I won't compare Barca to Real, because I agree that it's unfair, but we're not as bad as Real is a pretty trivial equivocation.<br /><br />Also in the weak response category: "We play a lot of games, so I'm sure lil Cesc will get to start *some* of them when Xavi and Iniesta are tired, or if the game doesn't matter."<br /><br />Further, I think you're going a little light on the Barca players. "Increasingly unseemly" is more than a mild understatement. When you have people like Puyol making statements like "Arsenal are acting classless" (a quote which was aptly described by Unprofessional Foul as "without a hint of irony or self-awareness"), you have passed "increasingly unseemly" several miles back.<br /><br />Here's to Arsenal riding Cesc like the Brewers did with a rented CC Sabathia before sending him off to the debt-ridden soccer Yankees for an astronomical fee.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02330839864692758370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-28825099491216767072010-08-16T09:21:57.854-05:002010-08-16T09:21:57.854-05:00I'm a bit out of the loop on this one but perh...I'm a bit out of the loop on this one but perhaps Cesc isn't as hit for this as the Barca players are because he'll basically be a back-up (as in the WC) and, in the way most players view these things, the low transfer price being offered isn't a sign of the respect from Barca Cesc gets from Arsenal (where he's the man)?Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04278166967914631851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-46482306474377889272010-08-15T18:23:02.982-05:002010-08-15T18:23:02.982-05:00I saw that "no better than Real" line fr...I saw that "no better than Real" line from Arseblogger and nearly barfed. Barca's players have mouthed off in the media about a target who is: (1) a club member; (2) a product of the youth system; (3) a personal friend of a number of the players on the team; and (4) an international teammate. I'd prefer it if they were a little quieter on the subject, but they are talking about someone with whom they have a relationship and whom they know wants to leave. This is not Ashley Cole in any way. <br /><br />Of all fan bases, Arsenal fans ought to appreciate the difference between a club that relies on its youth system (and is only acting in an unseemly manner about a product of La Masia) and a team that spends obscene amounts on established stars. <br /><br />Also, Barca play 55-60 matches over the course of the season. Cesc would not be on the bench very much, especially with Iniesta's injury history.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08365733949431139562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-45754128544643770942010-08-15T17:06:20.006-05:002010-08-15T17:06:20.006-05:00Offers not fees :)Offers not fees :)Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447629718018884887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11175154.post-12564420526064578802010-08-15T17:05:33.653-05:002010-08-15T17:05:33.653-05:00As an Arsenal fan, I've always known he'd ...As an Arsenal fan, I've always known he'd go to Barca. But not to sit the bench (see world cup). It would make the most dense for him to wait until Xavi begins to decline. Barca's of fees were insulting--not even 40 million? Really? And he knows it. Through it all, he's been the consummate professional even as Pique and Reina tried to create a PR nightmare. Above all, Barca have shown themselves to be utter hypocrites--no better than Real at these things. Typed on iPad... Forgive typos.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447629718018884887noreply@blogger.com