The Soccer Blog: Fabregas Shows His True Colours As Our Captain

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Fabregas Shows His True Colours As Our Captain

By: Sairax | February 3rd, 2011
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It’s been good days for Arsenal fans as of late. We’re competing on four fronts, have won six games on the trot, and are in 2nd place in the league. So why am I reading articles today about Cesc and his ‘dark side’ and how he’s not acting like a proper captain? While the rest of us would like to get on with our season and concentrate on how we will get through this next month of important fixtures, it seems that journalists and pundits are more concerned with examining the Arsenal captain for any flaw or piece of dirt that they can find.

It has come out that at halftime during the Everton game at the Emirates, Cesc went down the tunnel and said something to the effect of “How much did they pay you?” in reference to the match official Lee Mason. You will probably remember that Arsenal weren’t getting many calls in that first half go their way and Everton scored a goal that was blatantly offside. The crowd was upset because they had seen the replay of the goal and the players were notable frustrated as well. All of this tension and frustration is presumably what led Fabregas to make these comments in the tunnel, to no one in particular I should mention. He has not been charged by the FA and Lee Mason did not include these comments in his report after the game so he either didn’t hear them or didn’t think it was worth mentioning. Quite frankly, if he did hear the comments, I would be surprised if he was too offended considering the kind of language and vitriol that is directed towards the referees on and off the pitch in general.

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If Cesc had come out in the post-match interview and made these types of comments towards the referee, then I would understand if people were upset and I would expect Cesc to be punished for the comments. However, these comments were made in the tunnel and were not even noted by the match officials. So why is there all of a sudden this huge concern about our captain’s behaviour and seemingly petulant attitude that is somehow indicative of him thinking about Barcelona rather than Arsenal? There’s also no mention of Cesc apologizing for his comments. How many captains, or players for that matter, come out and say sorry when they’ve done something regrettable?

After the brouhaha this summer over the possible departure of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, I figured that he would garner more than his fair share of attention during the season. Now it seems that every past indiscretion is being brought out to show how Cesc is guilty of…what? Dissenting against referees? No other captain in the league does that! Brandishing imaginary yellow cards? Perhaps it isn’t the most appropriate gesture to be making towards an official, but hardly a matter that is in need of serious discussion when there are so many other issues that need to be dealt with in the game. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez accused our captain of diving and said that Cesc comes from a culture where that type of behaviour is acceptable on the football pitch. Apparently this shows that Fabregas is a cheat, or at least exaggerates on the pitch in order to get decisions. It’s funny how this type of action can either be seen as ‘clever’ and ‘winning a penalty’ for some players and ‘cheating’ for others. This isn’t even mentioning the fact that it was a legitimate penalty. Does that not have a place in this discussion? Surely we should look into an accusation and see if it is worth any merit? It seems that if you are merely accused of something, it is automatically true or perhaps that even if it isn’t, you are at fault for giving the bad impression to the accuser. There was also the alleged ‘spitting’ incident with Phil Brown’s assistant Brian Horton, who said that Cesc spat at him. Or in his general direction. On the pitch. Or was it near the tunnel? Again, the fact that no one had their story straight or that charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence seems to escape some people. They even bring up what Cesc was wearing, as if that has anything to do with his character at all. On twitter he is accused of swearing at a Huddersfield player and refusing to give his shirt. Arsenal have come out and said that Cesc gave both his shirts to the other team after the match. No mind that the Huddersfield player who made these comments was saying that Cesc directed his supposed actions to a different Huddersfield player. That twitter account has now been deleted. Odd that.

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I really don’t understand why all of this attention is brought upon Fabregas more than any other player who behaves himself similarly on and off the pitch. In fact, there are players who act much, much worse if you ask me. What I see is a player that wants to win. He’s happy when we win and upset when we lose. He’s also a player who has a tremendous amount of skill and talent and he is absolutely essential to the success of this Arsenal team. I see a captain who encourages his teammates and puts his all into every performance. He gets kicked every single game. If you don’t believe me, then go back and watch some of our matches this season where he is constantly fouled and no yellow cards are brandished to the opposing team. If that was you, wouldn’t you show frustration as well? I see our captain out there sick of the way Arsenal are treated and he is standing up for us. The people in the media tell our players to be men, not boys, to deal with the physical nature of the game and to show a winning mentality. Well we are doing just that this season and it seems that many people don’t like it. I couldn’t care less. I hope Cesc keeps showing his attitude and enthusiasm on and off the pitch because it is exactly what this team needs. I don’t think he is at all malicious, but rather, passionate. Jack Wilshere came out on twitter and defended Fabregas saying: “Listening to talksport and they questioning cecs captaincy, he is a brilliant leader and protects his team mates always,very passionate guy” and “Adrian and Darren,love the show but just to let you know cesc is a great captain and helps me alot A great role model for all young players!”. If the players are fine with Cesc’s role as captain then so am I because that’s what really matters. As Wenger says, the talk surrounding him at the moment is something that he and the rest of us will have to deal with for the rest of the season. The only way to shut them all up is to lift some silverware. Maybe then his actions will stop being described as ‘ugly’ and instead be described as being that of a ‘Captain’.

BRITAIN SOCCER FA CUP

In other news, the Laurent Blanc has announced his France squad for the upcoming friendly against Brasil. Sagna, Clichy, and Diaby have all received a callup, as well as Dave (aka Laurent Koscielny) who has been called for the first time ever. Congratulations to Kos for making the France squad! I doubt that he will play, but really, we don’t want to lose him to injury so I think that it wouldn’t be so bad to sit on the bench for this one. The England U20 and U23 squads have also been named. Sanchez Watt has been called up for the England U20 squad that will face France and Kieran Gibbs has been selected for the upcoming U23 England friendly against Italy.

Martin will be back tomorrow with a preview of the Newcastle game. You can mourn the sad ending to Bendtner’s relationship with the baroness until then.

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Category: Arsenal News, Cesc Fabregas, Rants

Tags: Arsenal News, Cesc Fabregas, Internationals, Rants
Tweet « Fabianski Out for Season, Injuries, Nasri’s New Deal?, and Looking Ahead to February | Home | Tigettimhang on.... wasn't it his manager who said (LIVE on Sky) "Cesc did not say anything to the referee..I was there with him and he did not speak, I did.." then Fabregas apologises for what he said to the referee - I'd say Wenger is a liar.
No witch-hunt involved, just facts.
SairaxComments were made about the referee, not to the refereeDarren_VI'm so tired and bored of the media trying to stir shite up around Cesc and Arsenal. Either we are too weak and can get pushed over too easily because of no leadership, or we too rude/crude and should sure proper leadership like a good English lad would.
John Terry is everyone's model leader afterall.WolffyCesc shouldn't be taking this shit from the biased english media. If your english your god if your not your the devil, that is how their media operates and it is pretty pathetic.Harry PotterWe have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas! We have Cesc Fabregas!GoonyNot for very long! not for very long! Not for very long! not for very long!Not for very long! not for very long! Not for very long! not for very long! Not for very long! not for very long!Not for very long! not for very long! Not for very long! not for very long! Not for very long! not for very long!Not for very long! not for very long! Not for very long! not for very long! Not for very long! not for very long!Not for very long! not for very long!Homey_MillsDoes anyone know if there has been any sactioning against the ref and/or linesman? I know you can't suspend them for every missed call. But one was so ridiculous. I dunno. Just wondering.Gigi_manHavent finishing reading the post, but for me Cesc's attitude is a Capt's attitude. Period.
He is doing what he is supposed to do.Ndrobbotrying to get people sent off is not what people are supposed to do as captain.. a role model for my young boy and other young kids would be better, and a bit less bitching and moaning wouldn't go a miss.Gigi_manHe wasnt trying to get people sent off, he was fighting ofr an injustice, an unfair call that affected his team, if that meant for someone to be sent off, well that someone should take its responsibilities, just as Cesc did.
I stand by my point.Cdjones19As opposed to, say, a noted great captain like Roy Keane, who intentionally took revenge upon and hurt a player and ruined his career. That's a role model. Cesc was fighting for his team and trying to get justice over a blatantly blown call.sandra350I was very disappointed in Moyes-I've always liked him, thought he had far more class and that he had a good relationship with Arsene. What a bullshit thing to say to the press. He broke a cardinal rule which is what AW pointed out in his subsequent defense of Cesc: you don't mention comments made in the tunnel, off the pitch before, during or just after a game to the press. AW said he could give you dozens of far worse comments made by opponent teams in the tunnel but he never broadcasts them to the press. Really classless from Moyes. And apparently all that Cesc said was "did Everton pay you for that?" or something similar. Every manager has heard similar comments. Hardly reprehensible. If anyone thinks Cesc is the only player to make such comments to the refs, just watch the way Rooney treats refs in nearly every game. I am sick to death of these witch hunts against Cesc and Arsenal in general for committing sins that are incredibly routine in the game, sins that are totally ignored when the media's favorites commit them.
Mel87I'm not sure why managers come down on Cesc so much, but I think the media blows everything up because of the transfer rubies and everything that happened over the summer. They want to use everything as proof that he wants to go. I also think that since he's one of the most talented people in the league, they resent that he wants to go. It seems like ever player that has problems with their club is threatening to go to Spain, and that's really bothering the British media.MartinGood stuff, although I would disagree with one of your minor points. You take journalists to task for not making mention of the fact that Cesc apologized. I've read his statement, and I don't think he did apologize -- I think he gave some context, but the way I read it he is refusing to apologize for anything he may have done or said. And he may be right, but I don't read that statement as being contrite in the least.

Also, Football365's "Winners & Losers" column (which I'm generally a big fan of and recommend) for the midweek games has the following to say, which I found to be an interesting counterpoint to everything else being said: http://www.football365.com/sto...

I won't cut and paste the whole thing, but the basic gist is that Arsenal need MORE of their players acting like Cesc, and the problem isn't what he's doing, but that he's the only one. They point to the lack of outrage about the obviously offside goal against Aston Villa where John Carew shielded Flaps from the shot. If Chelsea, or Liverpool, or Manchester United had been scored against in such a fashion, there is no doubt that the entire team would have been surrounding the keeper whipping the crowd up into a frenzy, and the dirty little secret that those schoolmarms chastizing Cesc and others and talking about "disrespect" and all these other things do not want to acknowledge is that IT WORKS. You can get into a referee's head and influence decisions this way. If we had a whole team of Cescs, is there any doubt that we'd be getting more favorable decisions from the referees? And over the course of the season, that can make a big difference.

Now, I completely understand how classless and distasteful a lot of this may be. If you want to pass a rule saying it is an automatic yellow card for a player other than the captain to protest a call to the referee (which is a rule I believe they have in rugby), I'm fine with that. If you want to pass a rule saying it is a yellow card for players to wave an imaginary card, or say certain "magic words" to a referee in protest, I'm fine with that. But as it is, there are no such rules, players do this all the time, and it works to their advantage. As far as I'm concerned, then, Arsenal would be at a disadvantage if we don't do this, and if those are the rules of engagement, we've got to do what we can to try to win, including the things Cesc is being accused of. I'm just not sure why it's a big story when he does them, when guys like Rooney, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Terry, and Drogba have done these things and more their entire careers and haven't faced this kind of scrutiny.SairaxI wouldn't even say he's the only one on our team doing it. Nasri and RvP are pretty outspoken, and Theo has become moreso as well. Jack hasn't been shy on the pitch either.

It's like you say, for some reason it's a story when Cesc does it. If they'd like to talk about everyone who disrespects referees well then they can dedicate a daily column to that. Otherwise, I don't see the point in making such a big deal out of something so common. They can change the rules so that less of this conduct occurs, but it should be applied to everyone.blog comments powered by Disqus