He's Gone.

It's official. Strange, I feel...nothing. Perhaps it is because I have already said my goodbyes. Or maybe it is just the initial shock. He's truly gone. Goodbye Skipper. An era has ended in the Emirates. Goodbye.

G'bye captain

A PREMATURE GOODBYE. HE DID NOT GO. BARCELONA BIDS ARE RIDICULOUS. ARSENAL SAYS NO. WE STILL HAVE HIM. AMEN.

So it's final.

Wenger gave the go signal.
Barcelona officials to meet with his agents.
Deal starts.
Arsenal wants 50+Barcelona player.
Barcelona offers 30+player.

Goodbye captain. I never saw much of you this season. And we had quite a shitty one. I guess it's as shitty for you too. Nevertheless, I must say my adoration for you has been tainted by the previous summer's transfer saga which put a stake in the hearts of most Gooners. But you were our captain and we still love you. Truth of the matter is that we can never keep you for too long. You may be wearing an Arsenal shirt but your heart bleeds of Barcelona's colors. I would have wanted to keep you longer in the club because I want to see you raise a trophy wearing the captain's armband. Skeptics never liked seeing you wear the armband. They say you do not have enough experience, enough drive, enough maturity to command your team mates. But I disagree with them.  We see you on the pitch and we see an Arsenal captain who is a commanding presence on midfield. You were exceptional on the field and with that, you guided your teammates to scoring goals. You were a leader. Off the field, your teammates treat you as they would a very close and well-respected friend. Skipper, they call you. But looks like you're time with us is final coming to an end.

I have a lot of issues of your transfer. This is the major one. Barcelona is a club whose meteoric rise to the top of the footballing world is due to their first team. Their first team consists of the same roster of players who've played at every game, give or take a few injured ones. Where would you be playing then? Their midfield is already congested with brilliant play makers. Are you just going to be a sub? I'd hate to see that because you're worth more than that. And you need to play as much as possible next season, because frankly you have not been playing for a long time. Is it too late to hope that Barcelona will not be able to afford your asking price of 40 million?! They don't even want to pay the asking price. Even if they throw in players from their team, the unfortunates who were not able to play most games like Thiago and Bojan, you're still worth 40million and more. And we need the cash to splash on experienced players to replace one of the same caliber as you.

Okay that's enough for now. You're going. Really going. I'll miss you, but not so much since not seeing you play at many games this season prepared me for the inevitable goodbye. I hope you'll still leave a place for us in your heart. Cheesy. But you can never forget the club who took you in when Barcelona never had much use for you then. The club who raised you to greater heights in your footballing career. The club whose manager nurtured and trained you. The team whose members, players and coaches and others alike called you captain and gave you respect and loyalty. The fans who cheered and cried for you. We are The Arsenal and we bid you goodbye and great luck.

Gross Things Barcelona Players Say About the Cesc Fabregas Situation

Via the Telegraph:

"After seven years of great service, I thought Arsenal could have granted him his dream move."

The Barca captain is the latest senior player to make loaded remarks about Fabregas's future, joining Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

Puyol added: "Cesc has given everything to Arsenal to try to win a trophy but they haven't matched his expectations.

"I won't say he is in a prison, as we know how privileged we are as football players. But after how clear Cesc made it that he wanted to be in Barcelona, I thought they would have granted him that."

Quoting Ballers part 2

"David is an amazing player - he has mobility, he scores goals and is brave. I would love to have him in my team at Arsenal. He'd be amazing in the English league." Spain team-mate Cesc Fabregas, June 2008.

"Leaving Madrid is not a defeat. They have treated me very bad, but I prefer not to speak, really. Inter are one of the biggest clubs in the world, for four years they have been Italian champions, and I am proud to wear the Nerazzurra jersey. This is a World Cup year and I want to go there as a protagonist." Wesley Sneijder in August 2009.

 "History shows that this club has had very few strikers like him. I do not know if there has ever been anyone like him before. What I do know is that Barcelona should erect a statue for him. Samuel was a fundamental player here in recent years and was key to all of the titles that the team won." Andres Iniesta, August 2009.

 "Gourcuff is a player with great talent. He's fantastic, if he continues like this, at the end of his career he will be remembered in football history, I'm sure of this." Kaka, June 2009.

"The spotlight will always be on me, but it's something I'm learning to live with as the years go by."David Beckham, April 2009.

 "The reality is, when you're somewhat successful at what you do, there's always a group of people who aren't going to like you. I like to think I live my life the right way, and that's what's important. But I understand that people are passionate about soccer, and that's OK." Landon Donovan.

pre-season friendlies and transfer talks

transfers:
Thierry Henry to New York red bulls...say what?! Titi is unfortunately gone from Arsenal and is now in New York to "try to win another trophy". Tsk* I really have reservations about American football because I don't think they really could get the real potential of their football players.
While Titi is in the states, it's Bocanegra in France. He'll be playing for Saint Etienne.
Landon Donovan from LA Galaxy to Everton.
Xabi Alonso transfers to Real Madrid!!!
On the other hand, NO arsenal for Gourcuff. Sad. Chamakh was really expecting him to be signed but apparently, he was too expensive for them. So I guess that discontinues the bromance between the two.
Neuer says No to possible transfer and remains LOYAL to Schalke 04.
And of course, the battle between barcelona and arsenal for Cesc Fabregas. Arsenal is not willing to let him go without a fight, i daresay it's high time for Cesc to decide what to do and not leave us hanging. Hopefully, he'll transfer...it'll be good to be in a new club for more exposure and a different experience. =)


Pre-season Friendlies
 It has started! Although the updates I received need to be translated...I'm presuming that my favorite Girondins de Bordeaux is going strong and it's international players are back in training though not yet playing.
Meanwhile, some clubs are keeping their international players, fresh from the world cup, away from the field. I suppose they'll let them play only when needed. They need all the rest they can get. The world cup was quite grueling both mentally and physically.