Barcelona have been mouthing off in the playground that they can beat Arsenal up. They have been sending text messages, writing emails, writing messages on the blackboard to everyone in the school that Arsenal will get a pasting. The whole school have been talking about it

When I posted my article yesterday afternoon, I had just heard the news that Barcelona had lodged an official bid. My response to that was to ignore what they had to say and wait for Arsenal to come out on the matter. I didn’t have to wait very long. News filtered through that Arsenal had made a statement on the official website.

“Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is under contract with the Club until the summer of 2015. He is a highly-valued member of the team and part of our future plans.

“We have followed recent speculation linking Cesc with a move away from the Club but as there has never been any official approach for him, only two informal exchanges, in which we made it abundantly clear that we have no interest in transferring Cesc, we have refrained from publicly passing comment. However, yesterday evening we received an offer from Barcelona for Cesc and in response, we immediately and resolutely told them once again that we have no intention of selling our captain.

“To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word.”

What a fantastic and classy response from a proper football club. It was so good that I almost felt emotional after hearing it.

The public statement is consistent with the response from Arsenal that Arsenal Vision brought to you on the 26th May.

Barcelona have been mouthing off in the playground that they can beat Arsenal up. They have been sending text messages, writing emails, writing messages on the blackboard to everyone in the school that Arsenal will get a pasting. The whole school have been talking about it, getting frantic with excitement. Meanwhile Arsenal have continued doing their work in the class room, going about everyday life in the right way as always with nothing to say on the matter because Barcelona haven’t come up to them asking for a fight. Until yesterday.

Barcelona gave Arsenal a shove in front of everyone and received a straight jab to the jaw, sending Laporta, Xavi, Puyol and Pique sprawling to the floor. Twitching violently with pain. Arsenal stooped down on one knee and whispered ‘do not try that again’ then calmly walked on to the next lesson.

Barcelona were taught a lesson in class. They were shown up for the arrogant fools that they are. Arsenal’s response was sharp, crystal clear and could not be misinterpreted.

Of course this means absolutely nothing if we then go and accept an improved offer. I just hope that we stick to our guns on this and do not budge an inch, even if they bid huge money, because this is more than just Cesc, this is Arsenal football club vs FC Barcelona. “To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion” end of story, case closed, nothing else needs to be said.

“It was probably the greatest conversation I have had with someone in my life. I respect him so much. He told me to concentrate on my football and the World Cup and he will deal with whatever happens in my future.”

Those comments from Cesc come across a little clearer now, or at least they may do. That greatest conversation could have been one where Arsene Wenger convinced our captain that his future was still at Arsenal, that he had been a part of a long term plan and that his time to go to Barcelona can still happen in the future. Cesc Fabregas will not want to burn any bridges with his hometown club or even the Spanish national team. He left his future in the hands of Arsenal and so far, is not willing to get involved in the Barcelona public games.

Cesc will not be the type of character to go on strike and force his way out of Arsenal, force his way out of a club that developed him into the player he is today. Cesc is not Anelka.

My gut feeling is that Cesc would be happy if Barcelona put in a bid that Arsenal could not refuse but he would also be happy to remain at Arsenal.

I chuckle to myself at all the hacks who jumped up shouting and screaming that inside sources tell them that Cesc is 100% out of the club, then two seconds later they change their tune. They know F all and F all which is exactly what we, the supporters know.

I am sure it is not over, Barcelona will not walk away with their tails between their legs. They have no shame and I am sure they will not even realise how transparent they will look by publicly continuing their stalking of Fabregas. They will continue to get their players to talk, to use the media but they have no control. They are playing on the Playstation 3 with a broken controller. Arsenal have all the cards and ultimately it is down to us.

The Joe Cole rumours are doing the rounds once again. The Metro successfully made up the story that Cole had signed a three year deal even though it was proved that he hasn’t actually signed for us but I certainly think we are interested. Judging by Harry Redknapp’s comments it doesn’t seem likely that he will be joining Tottenham so my guess is that it will be a battle between Arsenal, Manchester United and perhaps someone like Manchester City. Being one of the ‘England lads’ I could quite easily see him moving up to Manchester to join Rooney, Ferdinand et al. But Wenger may have had the chance to tell Cole that he needs to be able to express himself without the shackles of Chelsea or anyone else. Joe Cole might just want to team up with Cesc and Van Persie, he may want to train at London Colney and play the best football of his career.

IF Cole was to make the switch from West London to North London then I would love to hear his explanation for his comments on the 29th November 2008.

Cole said:

“People are always going on about the nice football Arsenal play but if you look at the last few years, who’s won the trophies? Know what I mean? I wouldn’t want to be playing for a team that didn’t win trophies.”

“You are not going to be sitting on the beach at the end of the season speaking about that Cruyff turn you did back in December, or that nutmeg you did in January, are you? You want to be thinking about what medals you won. That’s what it’s all about. That’s why you play. Our only aim is to put some silverware on the table. I’d like to be sitting on a beach next summer with a medal or two.”

Many Arsenal fans haven’t forgiven him for those quotes and I can understand that but if he was to join and produce his best form and help us win trophies then I am sure people would forget his Chelsea and West Ham past. I have read that signing Joe Cole would spell the end for Rosicky, Eduardo, Denilson or *insert scapegoat of the month here* but I do not understand that at all. We hear complaints that our squad is not strong enough or that we suffer too many injuries (certainly agree with the latter point) so why are we trying to restrict ourselves? Joe Cole is a player who can play in the attacking wide positions or in the midfield positions, he can beat players and can cross the ball. If we can get a player of his talent for no transfer fee then alongside Chamakh it is a no brainier not only that but his Englishness fits in nicely with the new squad regulations.

Is he a priority? Absolutely not but if Wenger feels his qualities can fit well into Arsenal then I am fine with that.

Here are a few highlights of his quality, not that you tube tells you everything you need to know. Anyway, I have probably just cursed it by posting this clip. But here goes.

Speaking of transfers, we have apparently had a bid rejected by Laurent Koscielny’s current club. Something tells me that there is a little more truth about the Cole and Koscielny rumours, even if they are announced on Arsenal.com

Back again tomorrow.

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