Let's all step back

So then. If you believe the rumours, and to be honest its hard not to, then it looks like Fabregas wants out of project Arsenal. Coming so soon after Wenger stating that he was ready to buy some experience and not so long after Fabregas himself said he was in no hurry to leave the timing of all this surprises me.

It is thought that Fabregas' main motivation for leaving is his desire to win more trophies. On the face of it fair enough however on further investigation I'm not so sure that Barcelona are going to continue to have everything their own way in Spain or in Europe.

Should Inter Milan win the Champions League next Saturday then I would be amazed if José Mourinho didn't say goodbye and take on a job at Real Madrid. Even if they don't win I expect him to move. That is the same Mourinho who has won multiple domestic titles in each of Portugal, England and Italy. The same Mourinho who has already won the Champions League with Porto. The very same Mourinho who is about the only person who can walk into a room full of galacticos and demand instant respect and also probably have the biggest ego in the room.

Consider the new horizon in Spain when a Mourinho led Real face down a Messi inspired Barcelona. Not so clear cut, is it. Maybe Messi will finally score against a team managed by Mourinho, it would be his first time in over 8 attempts. To say that Barcelona are mesmerising when they are at their best would be an understatement. To say say that they are unstoppable would be equally overstating it.

Now that Barca have been dethroned as kings of Europe, the blueprint has been displayed on how to gain the upper hand. Now contrast the new power struggle that will develop in Spain and consider how that might differ to a struggle in the premier league.

Chelsea, although champions, are pushing on in age and are also under directions from their Russian billionaire owner to cut expenditure and start to become self financing. Manchester United have no big hitters in their sights and are for the first time going to have to sell before they can buy. Liverpool, well I won't go there. The tiny tots and Manchester city still have significant progress to make in terms of club stature to join Europe's elite and attract world class players.

While all of Arsenals domestic competitors are experiencing difficulties Arsenal are coming out of financial restrictions with a renewed hope. Never before has Wenger stated that he has the financial muscle to compete with the Chelsea's of this world, never before was he able. Allied to that, when was the last time anyone heard Wenger declare that he would be looking for some new players but only top quality players who had experience. Wenger now has the money, and crucially, the willingness to spend some money on ready made top quality players.

I might be sticking my neck out here but coming on the back of this mornings news that Barca have paid 40 million euro for the services of David Villa and Arsenal are in a stronger than ever financial position I think Arsenal are going to do us all proud and tell Barca where to put their offer. I also think that were the Arsenal hierarchy to force Wenger into selling his prized asset then it is conceivable that Wenger himself would also move on.

Were Arsenal to get something in the region of 60 million then maybe everyone would be happy to let him go on the grounds that Wenger could replenish his squad with the proceeds. However there is two snags here. Firstly Wenger won't want to drop too many new faces into his squad and hence doesn't need or wouldn't use an additional 60 million. Secondly the only club with that much cash to spend after paying 110 odd million for two players would be Manchester City. Not Barcelona.

I'm going to wrap this up now. But before I go if I was you I'd think a little more before putting your head in your hands and wondering where it all went wrong. This isn't as clean cut as some would have you believe. Fabregas is no fool. Heading to Barcelona would mean a frightening array of talent is at their disposal and he gets to play with some world class players. He will however have to compete just for a place on the starting team and then will have to get the better of possibly the best manager in world football who will have some of the best players in the world at his disposal.

Maybe a revamped Arsenal won't look so bad after all.

User Comments

User Comments

• Got something to say?
• Read comments

Vs chelsea