Written by Squid Boy on Friday, 12 August 2011 15:33

I last blogged on Tuesday. I have been waiting for something concrete before I blogged again. I can’t waits no more.

Rumours broke on Twitter on Wednesday evening that the Cesc deal was finally reaching endgame. While we’d heard these stories a bazillion times before that Cesc was on the verge of re-joining his boyhood club, but for some reason this time it felt different. This time it felt real.

So we waited for something official. And waited.

Arsenal.com released a one-minute video statement from Arsene last night, in which he basically said nothing.

And then there was the much-hyped press conference this morning, which had fans from around the world staying up for or waking up at stupid o’clock to follow. And again, it was apparently 20-odd minutes of nothing. I had intended to watch to it but I no longer have the will. One interesting snippet from it was the following quote by Le Boss:

“I expect nobody to leave the club. At the moment there is no news.”

Which is half-true, in that there wasn’t any news this morning. But it sure broke a few hours later that a deal had indeed been struck for €40 million, comprising €34 million in cash up-front and €6 million in add-ons dependent on performance. It’s definitely lower than his worth, but such is the price we pay (no pun intended) for having a selling market with only one club and a player who seemingly desperately wanted out. Alas.

In fact, even as I type this there are rumours that Arsenal have not yet agreed to the deal. It seems we are trying our gosh darndest to keep calm and carry on, with Cesc appearing in pictures of the squad training this morning and on the newly-released squad numbers list (more on which later). Whatever. He’s gone and time to move on.

I’m not going to bore you with a slew of memories of Cesc, because my heart can’t take it and I’m sure yours won’t be able to either. What I will say is that I was at Highbury to witness his debut and will forever remember the commentator calling him Fabrice Fabregas as he bagged his first goal for us that night. He is the first player whose development from young starlet to fully-fledged first-teamer I have been consciously been aware of. We’ll miss him, but it is time to focus forward.

From the perspective of moping, it’s probably a good thing his move has come late in the window. Had it happened earlier this summer, we’d have had to endure weeks of wallowing. Instead, we are faced 24 hours later with our first league game of the season and the beginning of a season-defining month for us, both on and off the pitch.

So, to Newcastle. Team news ahead of the game is largely positive, with confirmation last night that Gibbs, Vermaelen, Walcott and captain (for tomorrow and probably longer) Robin van Persie are all fit and healthy. This is excellent news as we will be able to field our first-choice defence and choose from a strong strikeforce.

The worry is midfield. Arsene confirmed unsurprisingly this morning that neither Cesc nor Nasri would take part, but the real stinger is that Jack Wilshere is out with an “inflamed ankle” for “hopefully the short-term”. However, this came with the worrying caveat that we can’t put a definitive date on his return. Gooners being Gooners, we hark back to last season where Vermaelen’s three-day injury actually lasted eight months. Everyone pray that this is not the case with Jack and make whatever sacrifice you need to and rub your lucky rabbit’s feet.

With all that in mind, I’m going to hazard a guess that our lineup tomorrow will be something along the lines of: Szczesny; Gibbs, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Sagna; Song, Ramsey, Rosicky; Arshavin, v.Persie, Gervinho.

There is a big claim that Theo should make the first XI – especially with his record at St. James’ Park last season – and while I’d normally have him in there, I think it might be wise to ease him back into action after his ankle injury. Plus it’d be good not to use all our speedsters from the off and unleash him from the bench as the game wears on and their defenders tire. That said, I’d have no qualms whatsoever if he started.

Speaking of wingers, today comes with news that Gervinho has been handed his preferred no.27. Yes. THAT number. The sacred one of Sir Emmanuel of Eboueshire. Which strongly indicates that our Ivorian Warrior will be following Cesc out of the exit door, with a move to Galatasaray strongly mooted.

Other interesting stuff from the squad number list is that Frimpong has been promoted from no.35 to no.26, while Ryo Miyaichi – fresh from his successful work permit appeal – gets the no.31. A sure indication that both have some part to play in first-team matters this season. Most interestingly of all is that new boy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been awarded the hallowed no.15 jersey, following in the footsteps of Gunners legends Ray Parlour, Cesc himself and, er, Denilson!

On a more serious note, I am looking forward to a squad of hungry players that want to fight for us and don’t have eyes on pastures new. The departures of Cesc and Nasri may hurt us, but give me a marginally less-talented yet 100% committed player in their places. If their passion for the Club matches that of the fans, then we have nothing to fear. Forward, Arsenal. Beginning tomorrow.

Squid Boy (http://twitter.com/#!/TheSquidBoyLike)

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Comments (21)

• 12-Aug-2011 15:51 | | Scot  - smiling faces
  

  
  Gooners all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 12-Aug-2011 15:58 | | bal  - Gooonnerrrr all the way
  

  players come and go
  players like adebayor
  arsenal's progress seems slow
  surely we will win it soon, arsene knows
  
  
  IAWT

• 12-Aug-2011 16:03 | | Roy Singapore
  

  Superbly written, mate! My same sentiments that, talented that the outgoing group of players they are. But they have won nothing for the club. So clearing them out might be the first step of the beginning of a new era for afc. I'm optimistic that this time its gonna turn out different, by us starting to win something already.

• 12-Aug-2011 16:12 | | Spectrum
  

  Mean Lean doing his best impression of Henry V.
  "******************"

• 12-Aug-2011 16:16 | | Spectrum
  

  Never has the title "Arsenal (Tunnel) Vision" been more appropriate. Well, at least till his next blog, anyway.
  "******************"

• 12-Aug-2011 16:36 | | MeanLean
  

  Great post SB.
  
  It is no surprise that Spectrum thinks that it is written by me as he probably doesn't read the actual content just intends on spewing the same nonsense.
  
  Luckily I couldn't care less. I do care about what happens on the pitch tomorrow though. I am praying that Jack's injury isn't serious because this really will be his year if he can stay fit.

• 12-Aug-2011 16:39 | | kelly  - wen d going get though
  

  in arsene wenger i trust...believe dis season wil brings glory back 2 emirate. let those that want 2 leave go, and those that want 2 stay should stay, d end wil justisfy d means

• 12-Aug-2011 16:54 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Nice work Squiddles. Let's get some perspective up in hurr. Plenty of talent left at Arsenal.
  
  Bring on tomorrow. I'm ready for it.

• 12-Aug-2011 18:06 | | LL.Cool Gay
  

  Only dopey Wenger was the only person who thought Cesc wouldnt go.Thats why on the eve of the season we havent got a replacement lined up.What the fuck has our £7m a year manager actually been doing this summer.
  This club is sinking like the Titanic but Wenger cant see the iceberg

• 12-Aug-2011 18:25 | | @aubsz26  - Arsenal FC
  

  Can't wait for the campaign to start, I know Wenger is crazy but then again all geniuses are. Wenger has probably seen it all in he's head. I trust he will make it happen. Get rid of the warriors who aren't focused on the battle. Recruit a few new ones and instill them in the 'Arsenal Way'. Loyalty + Honor Forward, Arsenal.

• 12-Aug-2011 19:41 | | feeno
  

  why dont you just leave this blog then

• 12-Aug-2011 19:46 | | feeno
  

  eh signing gervinho, jenkinson, trying to sign jones, jagielka, training the rest of the players that do want to play for us, getting ryo a work permit. Still looking for players
  
  if this club is sinking like the titanic may i offer you the first lifeboat so you can get to f**k.
  
  Cesc can be replaced in the short term by Ramsay, Arshavin, Rosicky, Wilshere (when he returns from injury)
  
  We appear to be looking at Jadson, but as Cesc hasnt even signed for Barca yet you appear to be premature.

• 12-Aug-2011 20:13 | | feeno
  

  Can add the lad campbell to the list of players bought, according to Young Guns

• 12-Aug-2011 22:49 | | richie  - YATID again
  

  We all know spectrum ain't a Gooner! Why bother answering a Spud?

• 12-Aug-2011 23:07 | | Dean  - We still need young players
  

  No matter what the fools say remember we will always need to replace older players with youngsters! The most successful manager the prem has ever known has a programme of doing just that and no one thinks he's got it wrong. A TV football pundit once told Sir Alex "You never win anything with kids" That pundit has been made to eat his words year after year, as Gooners lets try to remember that and keep a proper perspective!

• 12-Aug-2011 23:43 | | richie  - Henry V a true Gooner if ever there was one
  

  "Once more unto the breach or fill the breach with our English dead"
  Thanks Specy its rare I congratulate a Spud, but fare due's, comparing a true Gooner to Henry V shows a little more class than most of us expect from a 5th colomn Tiny Tott.
  
  I'm sure ML will concur, because Heney V was an English hero.

• 13-Aug-2011 03:51 | | Spectrum
  

  richie - And we can guess who your hero is, can't we ?
  As we're on a historical theme - Richie - you're no lionheart !
  "******************"

• 13-Aug-2011 03:55 | | Spectrum
  

  feeno - Haven't you guessed ? It's because I like a good laugh. You should know, feeno - you're the joker in the A.K.B. pack.
  "******************'

• 13-Aug-2011 04:27 | | Spectrum
  

  Mean Lean - Does it matter who writes it ? It's all pro Arsene propaganda. Same shit. different name. After this season's predictable end, you'll be thumbing through the well worn excuse book again. It's thicker than "War and Peace". And just as tedious to read.
  "******************"

• 13-Aug-2011 06:51 | | Spectrum
  

  feeno - Does he play in defence ? Didn't think so. Helps the balance sheet, however. "Super super quality ", and all for less than a million. How does Wenger do it ?
  "******************"

• 13-Aug-2011 07:52 | | Andrew
  

  Fabregas era = No trophies! Off to the Barcelona bench with you with all the other badge-kissers and mercenaries who have repaid Wenger's faith and genius with self-interest and wound up going nowhere ( I'm looking at you, Messrs Adebayor, Bentley & Hleb ).
  
  I have a feeling that Arsene has got something incredible up his sleeve for this season and will continue to believe it until we surrender a 3 goal lead at home to Stoke in the last 7 minutes! LOL!

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