Fabregas in a Barcelona Shirt

During Spain's World Cup celebrations, Arsenal's want away captain, Cesc Fabregas, donned a Barcelona home shirt.

I bet he'll be popular with the Arsenal fans within the next few days. Unless Barcelona meet Arsenal's valuation; and that's not likely, given the financial predicament the Spanish La Liga Champion's are in, it looks as though he'll be staying with the Woolwich Wanderers.

Last thing you want is an unhappy player spoiling pre-season preparations. All Everton and Spurs fans witnessed firsthand what kind of influence one unhappy prima donna can do to the spirit in the dressing room.

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Joe Cole could be Arsenal bound

Had a few mates round last night, and as usual, we were discussing who'd be in and out of the Spurs team. Barry, a closet Spurs fan, but Arsenal season ticket holder down at the Arabic Library, told us all that he is confident Joe Cole will join Arsenal as soon as Fabregas is sold to Barcelona.

I really wish that were true, as I cannot see how Cole would fit into our team, unless Harry was planning on selling Luka Modric to Chelsea, which I can't see happening by the way.

This summer could be our most important in decades, so let's just hope Harry and Levy get it right.

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Is this the beginning of the end of Arsenal?

I've just heard an interview on talkSPORT with the Spanish football pundit, Guillem Balague. It's basically curtains for Cesc Fabregas' 7 year stint with Arsenal as it looks like he has told Wenger that he wants to leave now, rather than later, with Barcelona being his preferred choice.

Now, if this report is true, and I presume it is, it looks as though Cesc has finally given up on the Wenger Project. In fact, it's a slap in the face for the entire establish at Arsenal.

Why?

Because the belief that doing things Wenger's way, is no longer there.

How long is Fabregas supposed to stick around while the "young players" develop? How many times do you think the lad can sit by and watch the British media drool over another one of Walcott's runs that simply have no end product? How many times has he had to place his head in his hands because every Arsenal keeper has just fluffed another howler?

If he does go, it may leave a dent so large in Arsenal's heart, that filling it, may prove to be an impossible feat. He is their captain, their talisman. Make no bones about it; Fabregas is the player that makes their setup tick along.

How does all of this play on the mind of van Persie? Does the Dutchman still believe in Wenger's Project? Does Wenger himself believe in it any more? I suppose we'll have to wait and see how this pans out.

If Arsenal can't find an adequate replacement, how long before their time is up? I suppose they could recall Jack Wilshere from Bolton, and wait for him to develop? What's another few years, eh?

Some have said that the club just doesn't have the funds to go out and buy the players needed. Is Wenger covering for his Board? I think the truth will out this summer.

The sustained success of a football club cannot go on forever. Oh, what am I saying? Arsenal's last success came 5 years ago!

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"Arsenal must learn to win ugly" - I've heard that before

Another year, and another Arsenal player has come to the forefront with a comment of how Arsenal need to learn to play ugly.

Sound familiar? Believe it or not Theo Walcott's latest statement isn't the first time an Arsenal player has said exactly the same thing.

Emmanuel Adebayor in August 2008 said the same thing! He saw no change and so jumped ship (or is about to).

In November 2007, England International wanabe, Manuel Almunia, said the same thing.

There seems to be trend setting it. Arsenal simply can't play ugly. They may play fantastic football, but when it comes to getting their shirts dirty, they haven't got a hope in hell.

I expect them to have another trophyless laiden season and cannot see Cesc Fabregas playing for them in the 2010/2011 season.

With Manchester City now Arsenal's greatest rival, they may have to learn how to play ugly and learn quickly, for without a Champions League revenue stream, they may be in a spot of bother

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