I’ve stayed out of it so far.
I’ve hardly said a word about transfers or Cesc Fabregas.
But the calendar starts talking at the end of June.
As I understand it, the British transfer window opens June 1st and the European transfer window opens July 1st.
So we\’ve seen Manchester United sign Phil Jones and Ashley Young, Liverpool sign Jordan Henderson, and Arsenal sign nobody.
Managers live with their fixture lists all day long – and when they go home at night.
A lot of their decisions are based on their fixtures. Yes, training is only training and the results of friendly matches don\’t count for much. You’re trying to develop fitness, teamwork, balance, partnerships and spirit.
Arsenal start training on July 5th and fly to Kuala Lumpur on Sunday 10th and play Malaysia at 8.45pm on Wednesday 13th.
Barcelona have now offered £35m for Fabregas and he doesn\’t want to train with Arsenal on July 5 and he doesn’t want to be on that plane to a tropical city in Asia.
Like many ANR readers, I\’m bored by this transfer saga.
The lad has given Arsenal eight years and the manager has run him into the ground because he always knew he was going to lose him.
Yes, I was the first to say : Arsenal can\’t play without Fabregas. I\’ve said that for the last five years. For big chunks of all those seasons, the skill, brains and character of Fabregas made the Arsenal team look better than it was.
So why do I now want him to go? Because his heart isn\’t in it any more.
I want it to be over but can\’t see Wenger letting his main man go for £35m.
Bottom line, it\’s calendar pressure.
As the days tick by, the pressure to conclude a deal ratchets up. Arsenal start pre-season in seven days from now and Sandro Rosell knows that.
The Malaysia game is only 15 days from now.
I reckon decisions have to be made next week. Deals have to be done.
Wenger can’t leave it much longer. I don’t think you can drift into August when the fans are as demoralised as this.
Watch this space, I’d say.
When Fabregas is sold to Barcelona, new faces will be signed in days.
Then you’ll have something to talk about.