It couldn’t really have been much messier, but today Arsenal have a new captain and it’s the one most people wanted: it’s Fabregas. Because of the circumstances, he’s not really being allowed much fanfare – Wenger’s grouchy “I don’t have to explain why” and Arsenal.com’s silence on the subject are a bit moody and not particularly Arsenal, normally a club which is aware of its more momentous announcements and makes them with appropriate pomp and circumstance.
Despite the lack of official fanfare, we the fans should congratulate Cesc on a truly awesome achievement. He’s only just older than Tony Adams was when he became captain. This guy is a real bona fide 100% Arsenal legend – let’s enjoy having him in our team.
Initial thoughts? Probably the right choice and surely one that ought to have been made in the summer. Cesc has spoken before of his desire to captain the club and now he’s got it. There will be more pressure, for sure, but has that ever affected Cesc? People always said captaincy affected Henry’s form but I never really bought that, to be honest. His form was always really good but he suffered debilitating injuries at crucial times.
More worrying is the recent trait of Arsenal captains becoming embroiled in lengthy and emotionally draining “I love dis club/I’m leaving” sagas – see Henry, Vieira. Don’t worry though, this is only really likely to become a factor with a guy as loyal as Cesc if the team starts to seriously underperform. Erm, oops.
Wenger also defended Gallas, saying “He was working as captain in a very difficult media environment“. Fair enough? Well, no. Not fair enough, actually. The media environment was difficult but it got a whole lot more fucking difficult when you had to open your big fat gob and start publicising dressing room rivalries and openly criticising younger players, didn’t it? That made the whole thing considerably more fucking difficult.
Good luck, Cesc.
Tags: Captaincy, Cesc Fabregas
November 24th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I think its great fabregas is captain. I always thought it should of been toure but maybe wenger has made the right choice
November 24th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
We are tired of all the excuses abt injuries.The media longago coined the phrase “thin squad” Wenger should put aside his pride and think abt Arsenal winning trophies and not self glory of playing beautiful soccer that has not brought the league for God knows how many years. looking at the consistency of Manu,Chelsea,Liverpool it will be difficult to even break into the top 3this season coz remember Arsenal has to go away to Hull, Villa,Stamford, Trafford, Anfield. A draw from any of these will be a miracle in every sense.
November 24th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Arsenal is as frustrating as Liverpool was last year. The euphoria of beating the Red Devils is shattered by Stephen Ireland & Co and mr “knows it all” says it is not a disaster. I really think Wenger has reached the peak of where he can take Arsenal. But make no mistake we are eternally grateful but football is about the present and not the ‘potential’ we keep hearing about.
November 24th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
hey carrick4life shut the hell up you clown. how the hell would a draw away at hull be a miracle you idiot. go and glory support and talk crap somewhere else. did we do the double on man u 2 seasons back? oh yes thats correct we did didnt we. anyway fabregas as captain is most exciting and im sure hell be able to hack it. gunners4life
November 24th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Why Fabregas, especially at this time of serious upheavel in the club? Can the young Spaniard handle all this and with the vultures of Madrid and Barcelona forever circling. Only time will tell but I feel Wenger might have sat down with the two protagonists and spoken to them about his impending action. There also must have been a universal ‘yes boss’ for him to have gone ahead with the annoucement.
I believe too, if Gallas wasn’t in support of his decision to strip him of the captaincy and hand it to Cesc, Gallas would have played his last game for Arsenal against Aston Villa. For in so far as Gallas denied having ever said what was ascribed to him by Chelsea that he would score an own goal were he not sold, I still, and I am sure Wenger and our supporters, have in the back of my mind that he would have said it and would have carried it out. Let’s hope all this signals the end of this downward spiral and see the team move up the table and start playing some excellent footie again. I’ll be there on Tuesday to cheer them on. Hope you all are there too. Come on you Gunners!!!!!!!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Fabregas will be a great captain – he is intelligent, mentally strong, committed to the cause, has the respect of everyone at Arsenal and has already shown leadership qualities. Only a couple of weeks ago I remember seeing an interview with Adebayor saying how Fabregas had been getting the players together for meals etc outside the training ground. This is a new start now which the team needs so let’s get behind them all we can
November 24th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Come on Cesc. Fulfill our dreams.
November 25th, 2008 at 4:30 am
I’m pretty suer,he’ll do good.We didnt have much choices anyways,i woukd have gone for either Rosicky or V.Persie. Rosicky’s injured and, perhaps Fabs is a better leader than V.Persie.Nevertheless, i think that Wenger did the right job..as always!(We have always said that…so lets hope that THIS it does go smoothly..).
Good Luck Fabs, Make us proud.
Boo Gallas!