Posted by Joaquin

This summer has been the most trying for Arsenal fans in recent history.  For most American Gooners that means the past decade, as our coverage of the Premier League in the States in prior years was minimal to say the least.

The biggest story of the summer is something altogether too familiar. Will Fabregas leave for Barcelona?  Everyone and their mothers are experts, citing rumors and making assumptions.  It really is hard to decipher stories with real merit as opposed to the bile from the Daily Fail and The Sun.  The problem is that even a blind squirrel can find a nut sometimes.

In an era where we are connected to millions with the click of a button, missing fifteen minutes of your Twitter timeline can see your club certainly relegated or winning the Champion's League.  Fans have never had as much access to players and as great as that may be the abuse dealt out is appalling.  You may think players get grief from opposing fans but the primary problem lies with fans of their own club.  People are quick to react to stories without checking facts and this leads to much unflattering vitriol.  I'm no big Denilson fan but the young man used to interact with fans and sing and dance on camera, having a good time.  That didn't last too long.  Now that he's been loaned back to Brazil he's back at it because he is happy.  Imagine getting hundreds of hate messages daily and think what it would do for your confidence and self worth.  No surprise Nasri never tweets anymore and Cesc much less frequently before.  I can't blame them.

The real story at hand is the negotiations between Barcelona and Arsenal.  The manner by which Barcelona have disrespected Arsenal and Cesc by the bids they have put in and comments their front office have made.  Many think that Arsenal are holding out for £40m and although it seems to be true that valuation can't be fair in this inflated transfer market.  Barcelona's first bid was £26m and that was a slap in the face.  Some great statistics from @Orbinho have shown that he has been the most prolific passer and chance creator in Europe ahead of Xavi over the past five seasons.

When Liverpool are paying £35m for Andy Carroll and £20m for Henderson and Downing each why shouldn't Fabregas' price-tag be at least £50m?  That's what Chelsea paid for Torres.  You look at the greatly talented yet unproven Javier Pastore moving to PSG for close to £40m who can't even get into the Argentina starting XI yet and he's on par with World Cup winning Cesc Fabregas?  Not a chance.

Further it doesn't seem Barca need Fabregas as they have the now and the future already at the club in Xavi/Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara.  Thiago has been lighting up preseason and looks a real talent, very likely to be ready to step in when the others are past their prime.  It doesn't seem feasible to play Cesc with the two others as we have seen evidence of in the recent Euros and World Cup for Spain.  How do they intend on dealing with the £400m debts they have?

Then to go as far as list Cesc as second priority of the summer should show all parties involved how serious Barcelona take this.  It seems they feel a sense of entitlement to Cesc as he was their youth player "robbed" from them and don't want to pay market value.  

Many speculate that Cesc and Wenger may have had an agreement in place to leave as long as proper compensation has been met.  This matter should have been dealt with by last month in order to prepare for the season properly and the fact Barca hasn't stumped up the cash yet doesn't help relations between the clubs or fans.  A deadline should have been set, so appropriate replacements and pieces could be sorted.  

The Cesc saga is a Red herring as we Arsenal fans know the club has money to spend and the main targets of the summer are yet to been acquired.  The center back most are clamoring for has not arrived, nor the exciting prospect of Juan Mata.  The money is there, the impetus is on Wenger and Gazidis to spend.  Most know they like doing their business late in order to not overpay, but if the goal is to win titles you need the team to be settled and form understanding with one another.  With a Champion's League qualifier with £20m at stake coming up, most would think the squad important to be sorted by now.  It would cost much more than any extra million on a transfer to get knocked out before the group stages, not to mention the embarrassment.

If the Fabregas move isn't completed in the coming days I say give the finger to Barca and play him in the CL qualifier.  I don't doubt Cesc's love for Arsenal, maybe he should question Barcelona's love for him?  I believe he will be a Gooner for life like Thierry, and I will always appreciate his contribution to the club.

Reports are coming out as I type that a deal has been agreed between the two clubs but I am yet to see any confirmation.  True or not, the loss of Fabregas will/would be an enormous blow to the club and fans.  Unless some miraculous replacement were to come in I couldn't realistically see us winning the title.  I don't think our top four spot is in as much jeopardy as the English media would like it to be.  The teams below us haven't done anything special.

The day Cesc leaves will be a sad day for all Gooners.  Below is a great video compiling Cesc's career with us from start to finish.  No matter what happens we will be there to support our club and someone will step up to lead the club, great players have left before and yet here we still stand, top contenders year after year, developing superstars.  We are The Arsenal.