It pains me to title such an article but it is now clear to me that Cesc cannot go on any longer as our club captain. It was a strange choice anyway, almost a gift to encourage someone to stay a bit longer when you knew they may not wish to. This was a managerial error in itself in my eyes.
Cesc is a good man, a highly talented player but not a leader on the field, as much has been alluded to by several off his team mates in the past. Most importantly he has not been 100% committed to Arsenal FC for some time now.
Although he has generally performed pretty well for us in recent months, there have been some signs that this lack of devotion has been slowly creeping into his performances, especially in some lesser games. Having said that he has still put in some fantastic showings, intermittently showing the creativity that makes him so special by cutting up defences with his slide rule passing time and time again.
I like Cesc as a player and a man, and I do not resent his desire to return home, but pragmatically it is simply bad for Arsenal football club to be captained by a player who will no longer die fighting for the cause. It is time we had a new captain, a certain Belgian centre back and a certain young English midfielder strike me as the best candidates for the job.
16 comments:
You know, I normally disagree with like 90% of blogs... generally is only LadyArse I agree with really.
But I agree with you... if Cesc stays and the captaincy is given to someone else it might have the effect it had on Gallas.
When Gallas was stripped off the captaincy he performed a lot better for the remainder of his stay in the side.
I think this would have the same result with Cesc, it would be statement that would say "we know you are going to Barca sooner or later and just want you to go out there and show what you can do without higher responsibility"
Hopefully he might give us his best season yet, in a way forcing his status as a starting 11 in the Barca side and hopefully leave us with a trophy or two.
I don't understand why on earth people don't talk about RVP for captain. He's been around as long as anyone and he's completely dedicated to Arsenal and he's absolutely world class. RVP FOR THE ARMBAND.
Cesc's silence is deafening. Cesc just put in a transfer request for the love of God!
Sad but true
Yep, simply cannot continue as Captain. He has made it very clear he does not want to be an Arsenal player, unfortunatly for him, his beloved Barca are not willing to pay for him.
I would love if TV5 got the armband as he is the most suited and seems a natural leader but RVP is next in line and snubbing him would cause more problems.
RVP he is 100% an Arsenal man and shows his commitment one the pitch much more than Cesc.
I agree with your comments on Cesc - I have written my own post on - http://www.smellthewintergreen.co.uk/
Exactly. Verminator for captain. He already captains Belgium. And it's better to have a captain who can see the full picture from the back. RVP is definitely the best option for vice captain. But he's supposed to concentrate on the opposition defence, not shouting instructions to our back line, which imho is what we sorely miss. Esp' on set pieces.
Rvp is the only one who shows real burning passion
pay back the man wenger
No one else looks as pis.sed as rvp after losing or drawing in a game
hes never spoke out bout the club or held it at ransom
hes the natural leader who deserves the armband
him and gervinho gonnabe lethal this season:O
Cesc is gone I hope....That or he comes out and says I am tired of barcalona's shite and he signs an extension with us. One or the other but not Captain and sucking them off, NO SIR. Gotta be RVP with Verm Co
Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal
RVP all the way for captain. He is dedicated to the club and is as eager as the fans for our trophy drought to end. TV5 for VC.
In response to comment about TV5 being a better candidate for captain because he is in a position to see the whole field, well, nothing is stopping him from taking charge right now. He doesnt necessarily need the armband to do that. After all, AW has been telling us all that there is a shared leadership responsibility in the squad.
Vermaelen is not a good captain. He has only been at the club one season, the defending was poor and he doesn't communicate enough in defence. I'd agree with VP, with Sagna vice-captain.
Agreed - let's just get the whole sorry Barca saga over and done with anyway, FFS....
Let him go...big players av gone b4 why holdn on. It isnt abt big names, we need doggedness! Dis is a proof to change d armband....
I agree,& Vermaelen should be captain going forward. During this Cesc saga of last few seasons his conduct has been good as he appreciates his career advanced far quicker at Arsenal than it would have had he stayed at Barca.
I do though question the fact he has 'lost focus ' right now. He continues to be paid handsomely by the club yet seems unavailable to work ! Whichever way the saga finally ends this Summer he should be focussed trainng hard & playing matches to be ready to hit the ground running for either club when the competitive action begins.
Thanks so much for this post, pretty worthwhile material.
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