Fabregas rejects new Arsenal deal; eyes Barca move
February 8, 2010
Cesc Fabregas has rejected a new contract at Arsenal. The Gunners offered their Spanish captain a weekly wage of £127000 but Fabregas wants to join Barcelona next summer.
Spanish newspaper Sport suggest that Fabregas’ return to the Camp Nou is about more than just “purely economic issues.” He has made his desire clear to his representatives and is simply waiting for both clubs to sort out the transfer.
Barcelona are reportedly willing to pay €50 million to Arsenal for the 22-year-old midfielder.
Sport also reports that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is realistic over the move and knows he is unlikely to lure Fabregas to the Spanish capital.
Tags: 50 million, arsenal, barca, camp nou, desire, economic issues, fabregas, Fabregasâ, florentino perez, gunners, MADRID, new arsenal, new contract, newspaper, Perez, president, real madrid, spanish capital, SportRelated posts
Barca VP Godall confident of Fabregas return
February 3, 2010
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is continuously involved in speculations regarding a possible transfer to Spain. Real Madrid and Barcelona are both linked with the Arsenal captain.
Now, speculation about Fabregas’ future has been stirred up yet again by British tabloid The Sun publishing quotes from Barcelona vice-president Alfons Godall.
Godall is convinced Fabregas will return to the Camp Nou at some point in the future.
The Spain international progressed through the youth ranks at Barcelona before moving to London in 2003.
Arsenal’s frustrations in the Premier League, going from top of the league to six points adrift in the space of a fortnight, together with Barcelona’s ambitions, have been cited as the catalysts that could ensure a £40 million deal is struck in the summer.
Godall, who hopes to succeed Joan Laporta as president, believes that even if Fabregas does not make the move at the end of this season he will one day return to Barcelona.
“Sooner or later Cesc will end up coming back,” Godall said. “We are a club that can sign players because we are respected and solvent.”
Tags: alfons, ambitions, arsenal, british tabloid the sun, camp nou, captain. Now, catalysts, fabregas, fortnight, frustrations, joan laporta, london, MADRID, moving to london, premier league, real madrid, six points, Spain, speculation, speculations, sun publishing, VP Godall, youth ranksRelated posts
Rooney’s relentless workload must worry Capello
January 18, 2010
Fabio Capello hates the concept of “one-man teams” but the England manager faces an anxious few months watching Wayne Rooney shoulder a punishing workload at Manchester United.
The striker is far and away United’s most important player this season as he takes up the slack left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s summer move to Real Madrid and his value to his club is matched by that to his country.
Quite simply, United would have no hope of keeping the Premier League title out of Chelsea’s hands without Rooney and England have little chance of winning the World Cup unless he is firing on all cylinders.
Rooney has been sensational for United this season, scoring 15 Premier League goals already, but with precious little margin for error in the scrap for the title manager Alex Ferguson dare not rest him because one more defeat in the league could prove terminal for a side that has stuttered this season.
Barring injury, it is more than likely Rooney will play in United’s remaining 16 league matches and will also be key to their Champions League hopes.
Ferguson is also unlikely to rest him for this week’s League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, although he might be spared from the final should United prevail over two legs.
All Capello can really do is hope that Rooney avoids serious injury and does not burn out in the hectic months ahead. He may even be secretly hoping that United’s Champions League campaign is cut short by AC Milan.
England have never had a problem replacing central defenders, workhorse midfielders and target men. All-round players like Rooney are a rarity in the English game, however, and Capello has no back-up option as far he is concerned.
For that reason alone, England’s odds for winning the World Cup are ludicrously short. They are second favourites behind Spain who seemingly have two or three world class players in every position on the field.
Cesc Fabregas is the best midfielder in England this year by a country mile, yet Spain also have Andres Iniesta and Xavi and Xabi Alonso playing at a similarly high level. Brazil, too, boast far more depth in terms of creative attacking players, as do Argentina.
Capello knows Rooney is is his trump card and the Italian can be excused for watching every United game from here until May with his hands in front of his eyes.
PHOTO: Wayne Rooney throws a cone during a practice session at Al-Sadd club in Doha January 14, 2010. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad
Tags: al sadd, Al-Assaad, alex ferguson, Andres Iniesta, Argentina, brazil, central defenders, CHELSEA, Doha, England, england manager, english game, fabio capello, fabregas, firing on all cylinders, little chance, MADRID, man teams, manager alex ferguson, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, midfielders, Milan, premier league goals, real madrid, ronaldo, Spain, target men, two legs, wayne rooneyRelated posts
Wenger warns Barca and Real off Fabregas
January 9, 2010
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned Spanish duo Real Madrid and Barcelona off making any moves for his players. Both teams had publicly declared their interest in signing Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, a move that infuriated Wenger.
However, The Gunners chief believes both clubs should not try to unsettle his players through newspapers. Wenger has also revealed that he has personally written both clubs, telling them not to pursue his players, because they are not for sale.
“We wrote them a letter. We do not say that Messi and Kaka will sign next week here. If one day we want to sell a player and they are interested they can call us. They don’t need to go through a newspaper,” Wenger revealed.
“[I wrote the letter] a long time ago to say we are not ready to sell any of our players. I don’t remember when but they did not write back.
“In Spain you have to understand it is a bit different. The chairmen are elected by the fans so you have to make a campaign: if you elect me, I come with him, him and him.
“But they have never spoken to the guys, not to the clubs, most of them, and it’s just part of the speculation.”
Tags: arsenal, arsenal manager arsene wenger, barca, Barcelona, cesc fabregas, chairmen, fabregas, gunners, long time, MADRID, manager arsene wenger, messi, newspapers, Real, real madrid, Spain, speculationRelated posts
PENDING Arsenal, West Ham superkids put friendship aside
January 3, 2010
Jack Collison faces fellow Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey on Sunday in an intriguing subplot to West Ham’s FA Cup showdown against Arsenal.
Both youngsters boast huge potential, but their club paths have headed in dramatically different directions this season with West Ham battling relegation while Arsenal are pushing for the Premier League title.
And Collison admits he is one of Ramsey’s biggest fans.
“Aaron is a real class act. I got a chance to play with him for the Wales Under-21s when we had a real good run in the European Championship qualifiers, so I am not surprised at all how well he has done. He is so good on the ball and works so hard,” said Collison.
“I am sure that, at a club like Arsenal and under a manager like Arsene Wenger, he is going to really keep improving and over the next few years you will see great things from him.
“It is hard to get your opportunity but you have to keep working hard and take the chance when it comes.
“I have done my best to do that and am enjoying my football, just trying to improve for West Ham as best as I can.”
Meanwhile, Wenger admitted he is ready to sacrifice Arsenal’s FA Cup hopes to keep their Premier League title challenge on track.
Wenger has won the Cup four times during his 13 years in north London and the club’s last major silverware came in the competition back in 2005.
Yet the French coach has no intention of letting fond memories of the tournament distract him from keeping his players fresh for Wednesday’s crucial home league game against Bolton.
Arsenal are firmly back in the title race after their 4-1 win at Portsmouth in midweek and a victory over the managerless Trotters would close the gap on leaders Chelsea to just one point.
With that in mind, Wenger is prioritising the league and plans to send out an under-strength side at Upton Park – even if this means his team being eliminated at the first hurdle.
Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Denilson are all sidelined through injury, but Wenger will also rest several other players as the likes of Mikael Silvestre and Lukasz Fabianski get rare outings.
“I will have to rest some players, that is for sure,” Wenger said. “We want to win, but we want to protect our home games against Bolton and Everton as well, to keep the momentum going.
“The Premier League is always more important than the FA Cup. The Premier League is so hard that you want to take care of your position.
“At the moment we have to keep our spirit and our attitude, then we have a chance.
“A season is judged on the overall achievement and people look to who has won the trophies but I also look at how we have done and how consistently we have played.”
Although Wenger will shuffle his starting line-up, he insists he has enough respect for the Cup not to send out the kind of youthful team that he regularly employs in the League Cup.
“For us, the League Cup is exclusively for young players and the FA Cup is one to win,” he added.
“But we have worked for that policy and it is not a coincidence. There is four or five years of hard work and patience behind that.
“We have so many players that we have a hard time finding them a chance to play.”
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola is more concerned by his side’s league position than aiming for success in the Cup and, with a long battle against relegation looming, the Italian could also rest key players.
Only goal difference is keeping the Hammers out of the relegation zone after Monday’s defeat at Tottenham and Zola knows his team need to show more of the battling qualities that helped them fight back from two goals down to draw with Arsenal earlier this season.
Zola could hand young striker Frank Nouble a first start in place of suspended Mexican striker Guillermo Franco, while he is unlikely to risk Scott Parker if the midfielder is still struggling with the hamstring problem that forced him off against Tottenham.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: 21s, FA Cup, fabregas, fond memories, french coach, gap, jack collison, league game, midweek, north London, relegation, robin van persie, subplot, theo walcott, title challenge, upton park, Wenger, west hamRelated posts
New deal for Diaby at Arsenal
December 31, 2009
France international midfielder Abou Diaby has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.
The 23-year-old joined the Gunners from Auxerre in January 2006, and after recovering from a broken ankle at the end of that season, has since gone on to make 119 appearances.
Diaby has developed a good understanding with Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas in their new midfield formation this season, scoring six goals.
“This shows my long-term commitment to Arsenal and I am very happy here, which is why I am so pleased to extend my contract,” said Diaby.
“It’s a great thing for me and hopefully there will be some good years ahead for me here.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger added: “Abou is a great player with huge presence on the football pitch and he has the potential to be an extremely influential part of Arsenal for many years to come.”
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: abou, abou diaby, AFP, arsenal, auxerre, boss, broken ankle, fabregas, football, football pitch, France, france international, good understanding, gunners, london, midfielder, new deal, premier league, presence, term commitment, term contractRelated posts
Real set to table 50 million euros Fabregas bid
December 5, 2009
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas may have dismissed it but speculation continues here that the Spaniard will sign for either Barcelona or Real Madrid next season.
According to Sports daily Marca, Real Madrid are prepared to make a 50 million euro offer for the 22-year-old Gunners playmaker whom they regard as an ideal partner for Xabi Alonso in midfield.
But the paper adds Real are in for a battle royal with Barcelona who they claim have already made contact with the Catalan-born player and his advisers.
Fabregas himself stressed last week that he was happy to stay at Arsenal.
He told The Daily Mail: “I want to continue to be part of what is happening here. Definitely.
“If not I would have left when I had the opportunity, three years ago, two years ago or last year.
“I believe in this team and I feel we can achieve things. The boss believes in us more than anyone, and I feel I am part of it. He makes me see that as well. And I don’t want to fail here.”
MADRID (AFP)
Tags: 50 million, Alonso, arsenal, Barcelona, battle royal, boss, Catalan-born, daily mail, Definitely, fabregas, gunners, MADRID, midfield, old gunners, opportunity, opportunity three, playmaker, Real, real madrid, Spaniard, speculation, sports, xabi alonsoRelated posts
Gunners crash at Sunderland
November 22, 2009
Arsenal failed to score for the first time this season as Darren Bent maintained his impressive record against the top teams in the Premier League to earn Sunderland a 1-0 victory.
Bent has already opened the scoring for Sunderland this season in matches against the rest of the so-called elite – Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Here, his 71st minute header earned Steve Bruce’s team their first victory in five matches and showed his goalpoaching qualities.
It had been a frustrating match for Bent until he headed a corner against team-mate Fraizer Campbell and reacted quickest to lash in the rebound.
It was only Arsenal’s third defeat of the season – an outcome that appeared unlikely after the opening stages of a game that brought Sunderland their first win in five outings.
Cesc Fabregas, who had scored on his previous two visits to the Stadium of Light, was at the heart of most of their best moments as Sunderland soon found themselves stretched.
His persistence enabled him to set up a fifth minute chance for Tomas Rosicky, whose well-struck shot was blocked by the legs of Hungarian goalkeeper Marton Fulop.
Fabregas also went close with two efforts from outside the area in an immensely encouraging start for Arsenal, who were deprived of half-a-dozen of their first team squad through injuries.
However, they possessed enough depth to include players such as Theo Walcott, Denilson and Andrey Arshavin among their substitutes.
Sunderland were also without first-team regulars Craig Gordon, Kenwyne Jones, Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole because of injuries and suspensions.
Turner’s absence brought a recall for Ghana international John Mensah, the defender on loan from Lyon.
But Mensah, chosen ahead of Anton Ferdinand, found it difficult to adapt to the pace and mobility of Arsenal’s attack.
The same was true of several Sunderland’s players, particularly in midfield, but they did finally create two opportunities for Steed Malbranque.
The former Tottenham player, still without a goal this season, twice wasted opportunities after Arsenal failed to cut out crosses from Andy Reid.
They were rare interruptions to Arsenal’s control and Wenger’s side almost went ahead through the best move of the half in the 33rd minute.
Alex Song surged forward and exchanged passes with Eduardo before the striker’s chip drifted past the post.
Bruce’s team proved to be more effective in closing down Arsenal’s midfielders in a second-half that produced few opportunities for either side.
Andy Reid, becoming more influential as the match progressed, was narrowly wide with a 58th minute free-kick.
And, with Arsenal struggling to make progress as Fabregas’s influence waned, Sunderland stunned them by taking the lead in the 71st minute.
Bent’s goal was a reward for the former Tottenham player’s persistence on a day when his supply line was generally poor.
And it was a reward for Sunderland’s ability to recover from such a poor start and pull off a victory that will mean so much to Bruce.
It was a victory that Arsenal rarely threatened to snatch away with the exception of one moment where they forced substitute Ferdinand to clear from in front of the Sunderland goal.
SUNDERLAND, England (AFP)
Tags: anton ferdinand, Craig Gordon, denilson, fabregas, first victory, Goalkeeper, half a dozen, impressive record, kenwyne jones, manchester united, Marton Fulop, Michael Turner, midfield, minute chance, minute header, steed malbranque, team mate, theo walcott, third defeat, tomas rosickyRelated posts
Werder remains calm over Ozil link
November 10, 2009
Werder Bremen insists they won’t panic after several reports linked Mesut Ozil with a move away from the club. Latest reports claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has targeted Ozil as one of his potential signings for the near future.
Ozil’s recent form has made him subject of speculation. The 21-year-old, who’s current deal with Werder is due to expire in 2011, already received offers from Spanish top flight clubs Sevilla and Valencia and the latest links have claimed Arsene Wenger is lining up a bid for the highly-rated midfielder. The French manager considers Ozil to be a possible replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who may leave Arsenal at the end of this season.
Meanwhile, Werder insists they are not worrying about this latest batch of speculation.
“We have to deal with all rumours regarding Mesut’s future,” Werder’s general manager Klaus Allofs told Bild.
“I am not annoyed by them, we keep being relaxed on it. I just hope Mesut and his agent keep cool, too.
“It would definitely be better, in fact, if his contract would be a longer one,” added Allofs.
“But up to now there are no further talks and also no agreement when to pick up contract talks between the club and Mesut Ozil.”
Paul Haring
Tags: arsenal boss arsene wenger, Arsene, boss arsene wenger, Bremen, contract talks, fabregas, klaus allofs, Paul Haring, rumours, SEVILLA, speculation, top flight, Valencia, werder bremenRelated posts
Fabregas, Xavi among five Spanish to miss Bosnia match
October 11, 2009
Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Xavi are among five Spanish internationals who will miss their final World Cup qualifier against Bosnia on Wednesday.
Fabregas has opted out for personal reasons while Xavi is among three players to have picked up injury niggles.
Fenerbahce striker Dani Guiza was injured on Friday while Sevilla central defender Carlos Marchena picked up an injury during Spain’s 2-1 defeat of group opponents Armenia on Saturday. Xavi also picked up a knee knjury in that game.
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol’s yellow card tally is reaching dangerous levels and so he has been rested while Fabregas is out for “serious” family reasons, according to the Spanish football federation.
Spain are the current European champions and have already secured automatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
MADRID (AFP)
Tags: arsenal, automatic qualification, Barcelona, Bosnia, carles puyol, carlos marchena, central defender, dangerous levels, dani, european champions, fabregas, fenerbahce, football federation, guiza, internationals, MADRID, personal reasons, SEVILLA, South Africa, Spain, spanish football, striker, tally, world cup finals, world cup qualifier, xavi, yellow cardRelated posts
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