Nasri's future depends on Barcelona's maturity - Cesc saga

I bet it was that B flat we heard. No wonder why it hurt so much...

     In past seasons, Arsenal have ended their campaigns poorly, year after year without a trophy, imploding in the late months. But last season didn't end on a bad note for Arsenal, it ended on a right shit note. Like an old piano that hadn't been tuned or played for years. The sound that started to ring and pierce our ears in March, finally came to an end in May.
     So as the past season came to an end with a terrible melody of losses and draws, everyone knew the upcoming summer was huge for Arsenal. Some were even calling for Wenger to get the sack, others rightly keeping their sanity and simply asking for Wenger to change his philosophy a bit. While Arsene has always been a smart spender, he's never been a big spender. This summer is the most important of his Arsenal career  in my opinion, because a trophy is desperately needed at the Emirates by the end of next season.
   
     The timing of skepticism over our own players's futures was poorly timed. During a summer when important signings have to be made, the Cesc saga continues, and to a certain level of surprise, Nasri refuses to sign a new contract. This gives Arsenal two options for the Frenchman: sell now, or keep him for another season, but let him go on Bosman. Many would choose to sell Nasri this season to make the £20 million profit while we can, as would I. For now, it looks as if Wenger intends on keeping him, and allowing Nasri to leave next season. However, I have a different take on the situation:
     Right now, Cesc looks more likely to leave than Nasri, but there is still a chance Cesc will stay. If Cesc does indeed stay thanks to Barcelona's lackadaisical bids for him, Wenger may look to offload Nasri in order to make some cash. This cash would be spent immediately on big transfers such as Juan Mata. *crosses fingers*
    Of course, this is pure speculation and may not be the case, but hopefully is. £20 million is quite a sum to let strut out of the club.

     Neither situation looks good, as the two are some of the very best players at the club, and in the world as well. Holding onto both players will be hard, but its possible. Even so, I doubt Wenger will decide to do so. Arsene realizes this is the summer for Cesc to go. Barca Xavi wants him, and Cesc wants to go. However, that won't let Arsenal give in and be held for ransom. Arsenal will not sell Fabregas for less than his value, which is either at 40 million or 45 million.
     It was quite humorous when Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said to the Daily Star:

     "They have been messing about for a year and a half now and they have got to make up their minds, the ball is in their court. They have made one bid of around £26 million and another rather tentative one."

     Humorous not only because Hill-Wood was giving interviews to the Daily Star, but because of the weight of the bid. It's actually very disrespectful to Arsenal and Cesc especially to offer a measly £26 million pound bid for Cesc, when Javier Pastore was sold to PSG for £45 million pounds. Surely they know that £26 million won't buy you Cesc Fabregas? Hill-Wood then went on to say:

     "If they want to buy the player they are going to have to pay the right price - and when you look at what is being paid elsewhere I don't think what we are asking is at all unreasonable."

     It's simple Barca, "Cough up or Cock off." -as Arseblog puts it. And it appears Arsenal are close to boiling point. When asked if Arsenal would call of negotiations, Hill-Wood said the club is close to doing so.

He certainly looked happy here...

     As was the case with Nasri earlier in the season, we are letting Barcelona and Cesc control the situation. Instead of giving Barcelona a deadline of August 31st, why not give them a deadline of the end of next week? We cannot go into the season and through the beginning of the season worrying about qualifying for the Champions League, going to Old Trafford, and holding onto OUR CLUB CAPTAIN.

     That is another ordeal. Just read these quotes by Wenger regarding Cesc playing in the Emirates Cup, from Friday's press conference:

     "He will not be involved because at the moment he is not settled, he is coming back from an injury and is not settled with us."

     So Cesc isn't settled with us then? Then why is he still our captain? Yes, Cesc has received criticism that his heart hasn't always been in it when he played for us, but that was a load of tosh. However, now it is time for Cesc so lose the captaincy. He has in no way helped lighten or calm this transfer saga down. He (supposedly) said to Xavi that he was suffering at Arsenal. Yes,  it must be a horrid experience being captain of a club like Arsenal, getting paid more money per week playing football than I get in an entire year doing real labor.

Hand that armband over, Cesc.

     While the players at Arsenal respect Cesc, this speculation over his future is not the way to lead by example. Even if Cesc doesn't leave the club, the captain's armband should go elsewhere, to a player that is 100% committed, and has no plans on leaving.
     Not only that, Cesc isn't exactly the type of leader we need at Arsenal right now. Lee Dixon said in an interview that one of the reasons Arsenal implodes in the latter part of the season is because of the lack of a dominant leader. When you think of a commander at Arsenal, the only player that comes close is Vermaelen. A monster of a defender, he was clearly missed this past season.
     Dixon went on to say that during tough times, inexperienced players, and also young players, when having a poor match, look to someone for guidance. Reassurance. Cesc does not give that to Arsenal.

 "You can shove my eight goal season up your arse, Evra!"

     There is often debate over the two different types of captains in football - the leaders by example (Cesc) and the shouters (Vidic). Both are good, but Arsenal is in somewhat of an ordeal at the moment, where a commanding shouter needs to grab all the players, get them together, and set them straight. Cesc wouldn't do that. Vermaelen would.

     But here's another thought - Last year Barcelona were after Cesc, but Arsenal managed to have him sign a new contract, worth £110,000 pounds per week. Perhaps (and this isn't out of the realms of possibility) Arsenal included in the contract that Cesc would remain as captain until he left the club. Hopefully not.

     No matter what, this drama has to end now. Either Barcelona makes a serious bid, or Wenger gives them a strict deadline. Arsenal is a club of class (unlike Barcelona) and will not deal with their childish games any longer.

     New post tomorrow reviewing the Boca Juniors friendly. Check back.
     Cheers.