Written by Mean Lean on Thursday, 14 July 2011 12:39

While we Gooners were enjoying watching our boys on the pitch yesterday, Barcelona and their players were back to insulting our club again. No surprises that it was Xavi doing the talking once more.

Xavi said: “I spoke to Cesc in Ibiza and he said he was suffering, because he really wants to come. It’s what he most wants, he’s done everything he can to come and wants Arsenal to let him go.”

To think that this was actually on the Barcelona official site. It is utter madness and the complete opposite of how we do things at Arsenal. More than a club is correct I guess. A football club as well as a bunch of complete and utter [insert whatever expletive of your choice]

Xavi's comments are actually factually incorrect. Cesc has not done all he can to leave Arsenal. He hasn't put in a transfer request and has in fact recently spoken publicly about his love for Arsenal. We already know that Cesc would like to go to Barcelona. I think my goldfish probably even knows this by now but Cesc's possible departure does not depend on how many times a Barcelona player can publicly say how much Cesc would like to join their club, it is about this club to offer us enough money to persuade us to sell our most influential player, if not then shut up.

Wenger reacted to Xavi's comments and called them disrespectful and that it wasn't the first time. I would have loved Wenger to have said something along the lines of

'We conduct our business the proper way and if another club fails to do the same then we will not be doing any business with them. We respect other clubs and want other clubs to do the same. Talking publicly about our players breaches that respect so any possible business will not go any further'

That may just actually make them think about their actions. Comments like Xavi certainly makes me hope that we do not do business with them.

In other news, we can finally put the Stewart Downing rumours to bed as Liverpool continue to behave like a more expensive version of Martin O'Neil's Aston Villa by gathering as many average - good English players for massive prices. I think Kenny Daglish is trying to recreate the 1980's again. I must admit I am much happier with our current crop of players than their collection of new players apart from Suarez I guess.

I wrote a few things about the game last night but what I forgot to mention was the way we had pressed the opposition in the middle third of the pitch. Wilshere, Miyaichi, Ramsey, Song and Walcott were running around like crazy to close down the space. While Barcelona press higher up the pitch from the front we tend to allow the opposition center backs time with the ball but as soon as it goes into midfield we snap at their players to win it back and then break against their defence. It worked very well at the Emirates against Barcelona and against both Manchester United and Chelsea.

I would go as far as to say that the consistency of our defensive work off the ball could be worth a good ten points over the course of the season. We are yet to put in the graft over the course of a whole season and I don't know if this is controlled by the statistics or if the players switch on and off during the season. But what has been evident is that against 'lesser' sides we haven't always put in the same graft that we have against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

If we recruit anymore players then I hope they have the commitment and passion needed because in this team I value it more than experience.

Before I go, I would like to pay tribute to the legend that is one Patrick Vieira. He has retired from football. The image of him flicking the ball over a players head and then striding off as well as Patrick chasing after an opponent who looks as if he is getting away until Vieira slides in wraps his leg around the ball, sending the player flying and then stands up with the ball and plays the pass. Those memories will live long in the memory. I would love him to join the coaching staff at some point in the future.

Back tomorrow.

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Comments (44)

• 14-Jul-2011 13:13 | | Mars  - Agree
  

  Three wishes:
  
  (1) Arsene will sign Samba and Matuidi;
  (2) Cesc will stay;
  (3) Nasri will resign.
  
  

• 14-Jul-2011 13:23 | | Feeno  - arrggghhhhhhh
  

  Got to blame the idiots at SKy for this, couple of days after wenger says we're keeping both Cesc and Nasri and that should be the end of it but no, here come the monsterous machinations of murdoch to keep the story goin by quoting these litte twerps happy.
  
  then you've got Fergie hawing about "Aye a dinnae hink we'll sign Nasri, someboady else is efter the pwayer"
  
  I understand the have to fill column space but here you have Modric and actually story of him asking to leave Redknapp saying "triffic he wants to leave, but we aint lettin im" and yet the lies perpetuated against us are higher up in the headlines than the truth from White Hart Lane.
  
  I wonder why that would be????

• 14-Jul-2011 13:27 | | Spectrum
  

  My three wishes.......
  1) Wenger out
  2) board resigns en masse
  3) A.K.B.'s to finally see sense
  
  But I'd settle for the first two.
  
  
  " ******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 13:27 | | Andy Mack
  

  I think Wenger should say
  ' I don't believe this is a true storey because I think Xavi has class and a comment like that would only come from someone with no class and no respect.'

• 14-Jul-2011 13:29 | | MeanLean
  

  Shame for you that none of your wishes will come true. How about come back if it happens.

• 14-Jul-2011 13:33 | | Feeno
  

  if you watch the pressin game of Barcelona its no only high up the pitch but the concentration of players in an area that makes it so effective, closing the angles making it hard to play the ball out, that and the fact if the ball is quickly played from right to left then the assemble on the other side of the pitch just as quick. Swarming little buggers
  
  I dont know if I ve explained properly what i mean I hope I have !!

• 14-Jul-2011 13:38 | | irish gooner
  

  does anybody know when the draw for CL qualifier is on?

• 14-Jul-2011 13:47 | | Spectrum
  

  If Nasri was sold now for say, 25 million, that would buy Gary Cahill outright, with 8 million over. That way we'd be getting a player who WANTS to play for us, and getting rid of one who DOESN'T.
  
  Though that's too logical for Wenger, who's responsible for this farcical situation by allowing Nasri's contract to run down in the first place !
  
  
  " ******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 13:59 | | Spectrum
  

  Also makes you wonder what the assistant manager gets paid to do. How come Pat Rice didn' t check Nasri's contract length, and inform Wenger ?
  " ******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 14:05 | | Feeno
  

  its funny how idiots like spectrum are the ones who shout about Logic, your not to bright pal eh
  
  
  in the rain iron will rust!!!

• 14-Jul-2011 14:06 | | Feeno
  

  we've been offering nasri a new dea lfor nigh on two years ya plum

• 14-Jul-2011 14:06 | | richie  - Spectrum Spud YATID
  

  Why would anyone want us to pay way over the top and spend £17+ mil on Cahill? Oh sorry I forgot the tabloid pundits say he's the player we really need. He's the player that they've identified like Abromovich's millions will suddenly make us win the title.

• 14-Jul-2011 14:12 | | Spectrum
  

  Feeno - The term "rust " is METAPHORICAL, and ANALAGOUS. But those words might be too big for you to grasp. I suggest you look them up.
  " ******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 14:17 | | Spectrum
  

  Feeno - Then Wenger obviously hasn't been offering enough to him, considering he's a player Wenger wants to keep. But then, if we didn't pay the youth players such excessively high salaries, we would have been able to offer him more, wouldn't we ? Sounds like the manager has got his priorities wrong.
  " ******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 14:21 | | richie  - If only
  

  My 3 wishes;
  (1) Infitrating Spuds find your own blog.
  (2) Arsenal supporters get back to basic's and really support your club.
  (3) Gooners wake up and see clearly (realise that never in our clubs long and proud history have we ever finished in the top 4 so consistently analyse fully why that is? Despite all the millions and millions that we are now competing against) when you answer that question get behind your team.

• 14-Jul-2011 14:24 | | richie  - Well said
  

  I would be nice to be able to do that but I've seen the comment live.

• 14-Jul-2011 14:30 | | Feeno
  

  you seem to just want to have a go regardless, but hey you're the clever man you'll know more than an economics major/ manager with over 20 odd years of experience. Are you able to control every litte aspect of your life and succeed every single time, you must be famous person with plenty money and load of girls hanging off you.
  
  The railings in the park have begun to rust!!!

• 14-Jul-2011 14:39 | | Spectrum
  

  Why would we pay "over the top" ? Because it would demonstrate INTENT ! It would show we really ARE serious about bringing in quality to strengthen the team. What better way to make a statement of AMBITION to the supporters, and just as importantly, the PLAYERS themselves.
  We can have Cahill if we pay his buy out clause of 17 million. He has said he wants to play for us. What is the problem ? Just pay what's required to get the deal done. Simple. And we CAN afford it. No excuse.
  This is the time Wenger said he would spend to bring in the quality we need. But that was just more spin. He won't change his approach. Hell, he won't even pay 12 million to get Samba ! But as usual, we're still signing kids. There's always time to spare for deals with them. The man never learns. Nor do his admirers.
  "******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 14:40 | | Feeno
  

  I know fine what you're trying to achieve, im merely highlighting how stupid you are
  
  
  I havent wiped my bum and its the colour of rust!!!

• 14-Jul-2011 14:45 | | Spectrum
  

  Feeno - No, but then I'm not paid 6 or 7 million a year, either. He is. And for that, we should be getting a better return.
  "******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 15:22 | | Spectrum
  

  Richie - On the first two, I agree. So what is your point ?
  On the third - We don't win trophies for finishing in the top 4. If we did, our cabinet would be full. If we had added a few players ( = spent money - gasp! ) when and where required, and had a manager who had some tactical nous, and was able to motivate, we might have converted some of those top 4 finishes into silverware. Last season we finished 12 points off the top. Nowhere near. And bombed out of three cup competitions we had a decent chance of winning. We're actually going backwards.
  "******************"

• 14-Jul-2011 15:41 | | Anonymous
  

  so u would throw away .17m just to show intent? if u were the boss we would be bankrupt . full stop and if u want people buying 10.of million over a players. value go support man city we certainly into miss you here

• 14-Jul-2011 16:15 | | richie  - We all retain the right to comment
  

  When Barca TV stuck a microphone in front of him and asked; It would've been far classier if Xavi had said "I don't comment on other teams players" Or even "No comment" But with no new recent arrivals at Barca but much speculation, it was not surprising that Xavi standing outside his football school would get posed the Cesc question.
  
  Firstly I am in favor of a persons right to freedom of speach.
  Second when our manager gets asked a footballing question even one he doesn't particularly like, I like that he answers. Unlike taggart who in the past would ban the person for daring to ask a question he didn't like never mind answer it. So when a reporter asks Arsene Wenger if he likes a certain player I enjoy listening to his answers. Now if we follow the example given Arsene should never comment on a player from another club, but he does, and he rightly remains free to do so.(This isn't Burma) So it follows that Xavi has a right to comment on another teams player. As Xavi is a friend of Cesc's and therefore privy supposedly to inside info it should make him hesitate before he answers questions or makes statments on his friends behalf.
  
  Next up I'm sure that Cesc when chatting to his mate Xavi would've said when asked "Well are you coming to Barca anytime soon"?
  "I've done all I can under the circumstances" ..................................
  Leaving the question hanging;
  But I'm under contract..........................................................
  That Xavi chose to rachet things up posible means Xavi thinks he's helping Cesc along. Who knows?
  
  I've always thought that Cesc is a real pro and would honor his contract so if Arsenal deside to sell Cesc before that contract finishes then thats the clubs choice. Likewise Cesc has been upfront and said if he leaves Arsenal he would only like to return to his boyhood club. I don't think there is anything wrong with the situation. Arsenal has a choice cash in or as he didn't cost much run down his contract.

• 14-Jul-2011 17:39 | | Jeff
  

  off topic slightly but...
  
  To the tune of the lazy song by Bruno mars,
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUf1Ax9x6cM (52secs onwards)
  
  Today I dnt feel like selling fabregas,
  I think its best that he stays a red,
  Dnt feel like picking up the fone
  Xavi leave a message after the tone
  Cos today I swear im not selling fabregas…. Nasri stays too!
  Ooooo oooo, ooooo oooo, nasri stays too!!!
  
  thoughts?

• 14-Jul-2011 17:44 | | Omglol  - - sorry for my bad grammar -
  

  Freedom of speach ?? What ? Why do you people have to use this to justify someone/something or to look liberal. There is nothing that indicated that someone stopped Xavi to express his opinion.
  Its big difference when someone have been forced on silence, unable to have his opinion, and, taking responsibility for your action. Barcelona know, xavi know We know the Cess transfer situation (lets not play dump) and we all have to add this in consideration and then take Xavi statemant and judge what he said.
  We dont start from nothing, this have history you cant forget what happend in the past and form your opinion only from Xavi last interview. He tell us something personal that only he and Cess can confirm and only one side sing that song.
  For me what Xavi did is disrespect for Cess, he backstabbed him for showing trust in friend.

• 14-Jul-2011 18:46 | | mr h
  

  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/iain_macintosh/07/13/ arsenal.crisis/index.html?
  
  Great article

• 14-Jul-2011 19:03 | | Passenal  - Well said Richie
  

  Some of our supporters need to grow up. They've let the 5th columnists who are really supporters of other clubs lead them into abusing their own players and manager. They must be having a good laugh at our expense in their own bolt holes.

• 14-Jul-2011 19:05 | | Passenal
  

  And the player we have who is good at that is Denilson, whom the people who know nothing about football want out.

• 14-Jul-2011 20:32 | | keith  - Typical dumb AKB fan
  

  Are you on drugs, or was it a misprint.

• 14-Jul-2011 20:37 | | MeanLean
  

  Haha, needs a bit of work but it could fit

• 15-Jul-2011 00:49 | | richie  - You don't win trophies slagging our club
  

  You so obviously missed the point about analyse why despite all the millions of oil dollars and debt thats stocked against us we are still finishing top 4. The tiny totts spent more and couldn't do it. So as we know its not money spent what is it then? Could it be the ability to motivate average players to play well? I think of all those players that looked world class when playing for us and never did anywhere as good when they left.
  
  Or maybe it was that fammed tactical nous that had plenty of our own ex greats saying we as a club have never played better football? Could it be that tactical nous that had so many of even our own critic's saying that Arsenal was their favorite team to watch?
  Or is it that your support started and ended with GG? Were you raised on the one nil to the Arsenal chant? Can't you see all the changes for the better that have taken place? The progress thats been made?
  
  Or is it that your silly little "ditty" that always provokes my response AYTID betrays your infitration on to a Gooner blog?

• 15-Jul-2011 01:04 | | richie  - Thanks Pas
  

  Thats my point I support my club always have always will. Win lose or draw I'm a Gooner. I don't belive its possible to call yourself a Gooner if you wake up in the morning thinking of new ways to slag off our club, our players, our manager, and our board of directors. If thats what you do you can't be a Gooner! Spuds wake up thinking how they can slag us off because thats all they can do, thats how they support their team by slagging off their far more successful neighbour. So I ask who but a Spud 5th columnist would enter a Gooner blog and slag off everything Arsenal stands for?

• 15-Jul-2011 01:06 | | And_Arsene_Said...  - Spectrum speaking from his Rectum.
  

  nuff said.

• 15-Jul-2011 01:23 | | richie  - I know who never learns
  

  I've been a supporter all my life I don't need a gestures of intent to support my team. I don't need gestures of ambition to support my club.
  I don't want my clubs manager paying over the odds for either Cahill or Samba. Check the stats for both of the above before you join the tabloid pundits in calling for Arsenal to buy over priced players just because they are home grown. If Arsene spends I want him to buy quality. I want him to bring in the type of quality defenders that he bought in when we went a whole season undefeated. They cost nothing and were sold at a profit.
  AYTID

• 15-Jul-2011 01:44 | | richie  - thanks for that mr h
  

  Yes it really is a great article!

• 15-Jul-2011 01:52 | | richie  - Mr h posted an article thats pertinent to you
  

  www.sportsillustratedcnn/2011/writers/iain_macintosh/07/13/ arsenal.crisis/
  Try reading a journalist thats not in the same class as the NotW boys.

• 15-Jul-2011 05:18 | | Jenikcarl  - Narrow minded
  

  Spectrum, I wonder what you are trying to prove by the line you keep repeating everytime. Are you honestly so short sighted, narrow minded that you'd put your Wenger out, board resign wishes over Arsenal FC winning? Will fulfillment of your wishes really get Arsenal a trophy or play football the way they do? It is nice to have a contrary view of opinion but being stubborn for the sake of it without any semblance of logic or willingness to look at a different point of view is a little immature.

• 15-Jul-2011 10:18 | | Andy Mack  - Spectrum the spud!
  

  pay "over the top" Because it would demonstrate INTENT....
  Didn't Levy say that? It certainly sounds like a spud phrase used again and again over the last 50 years.

• 15-Jul-2011 10:27 | | Andy Mack
  

  AWs comments are usually quite 'open' or 'general'. I don't believe he would ever make such a comment as Xavi. He'd say something along the lines of "that's for Cesc to work out with arsenal" or " I feel sure the 2 teams are discussing this". Very general info.
  Like his comments about Benzema, he knew he will not get him in the near future but In a few years time layers - costs - FFP - relationships change and it's not impossible for it to happen.
  Never say never (unless you really 100% mean it).

• 15-Jul-2011 10:40 | | MeanLean
  

  Agree with that Andy. He would never speak so directly about a player, especially after what has gone on over the last few years.
  
  If Wenger was asked his view on a player then he would answer it. He has gone many times since he has been here.

• 15-Jul-2011 10:43 | | MeanLean
  

  I do wonder how Cesc feels about people like Xavi making those type of comments about himself. There seems to be a distance between the comments and actions of Cesc to the Barcelona players.
  
  Cesc recently said that he would not agitate for a move, that he loved Arsenal yet people like Xavi are saying how unhappy Cesc is and that he is desperate for a move. If he was so unhappy then he would have put in a transfer request, surely?

• 15-Jul-2011 16:41 | | kart  - at spectrum
  

  u ass holeee...are u true arsenal fan...dont ever come back...in arsene we trust...from a loyal supporter..

• 15-Jul-2011 17:47 | | Man United Killa  - dare to wish!
  

  I'd settle for the 1st and 3rd...Dont worry..it will happen.Nothing lasts forever...

• 15-Jul-2011 17:48 | | Man United Killa
  

  you dont win trophies on a cheap.and with useless tippy tappy and no penetration.how is that for a title?

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