Hello all, hope you are all keeping well and safe. It’s a difficult time for everyone and football seems such an irrelevance, but life goes on, boredom sets in and we tend to retreat to safe ground. So here I am , writing an irrelevant blog about a long irrelevant player. Irony knows no bounds.
Yesterday I noticed that Arseblog had released a podcast featuring Cesc Fabregas, our former El Captain. Now under normal circumstances ,I doubt I would have bothered to listen, but these are not normal circumstances, and I dug in.
I have to be honest, and say I though it was a very good and interesting podcast. Arseblog asked all the questions he should have and Fabregas answered them all, there were the odd occasions that Arseblog attempted to get Cesc to be critical of Arsene, a bait Cesc, to his credit, refused to take, but in general, it was a fine podcast.
So the question I ask myself is did my opinion of Cesc change? The answer is yes, it did. However, not because I learned anything new. In fact everything he said about his leaving just confirmed what I had believed to be true at the time.
To be clear, Fabregas forced his way out, and let the club, his teammates the fans and Arsene down. He was selfish and ungrateful, he was a snake!
However, what did change is how I now feel about it.
He was our captain and best player, but he was just 24 years old. He had shouldered a great deal in the final 2 or 3 years and being just 24 that is a lot to ask of anyone. I believe he thought we were not in a position, especially financially, to win the big trophies, whether he stayed or not. I genuinely believe that had he though he could have made the difference, he would have stayed. I 100% believe he loved the club and Arsene, but Barca was calling. It’s easy for any of us to say we would have remained loyal, but unless you could walk in his shoes, with his head on, I’m not so sure.
The pain I felt, and the pain most fans felt, was so extreme because the boy meant so much to the club and us. He meant so much to us because he had given us so much, and there is nothing worse than a scorned lover. Well I was a lover, I was scorned and I became bitter and hateful towards him. He got the brunt of me being unable to cope with his loss.
What he gave from the age of 16, and for 8 years was special. He was a joy to watch and a credit to himself and his profession. All that he gave, all that he was, should not be forgotten because we think he should have considered us rather than himself.
There is a debate going on twitter as to who was best at their peak, Cesc or Ozil? And it’s a close one, that’s how good he was.
I am grateful to Arseblog and Cesc for that podcast. Not because I learned anything about Cesc, but because I learned my feelings towards him were about the way I dealt with, and processed, his leaving and not actually with him leaving.
Was he a Snake? Yes, he was. But for 8 years he was a prince, our prince. Now I’m happy to remember those glorious 8 years and accept he made a selfish choice at just 24 years old.
Positively Arsenal 
its being reported that the FA have put a plan forward to the UK Government that would mean all EU players would be judged on a points based work permit system like how non EU players are currently, but that the FA are planning on bringing in a limit on foreign players, something the EPL resisted in recent years, but many at the FA have long held the hope that Brexit would enable them, with the help of the UK Government, to limit the number of non UK players in the English game. Some at the FA actually want to eventually get it back down to the 2 non British or Irish players it was in the 70’s and early 80’s. Its not clear yet if Republic of Ireland players would get the free pass they did back then, or if they too would count as foreign, there is an agreement between the UK and Ireland that allows for each country’s citizens to have freedom to live and work in the other jurisdiction
It’s reported that the FA want to begin with, or at the very least, within a season, get it down to a max of 12 or 13 non UK players in any EPL 25 man squad. And to whittle it down by a couple of players per season so that within 5 or 6 seasons they have brought back English football to the early 70’s, all in the guise of Making the England National Team great again, and giving English youth a real chance to progress.
LikeLike
Man Utd have been granted permission by Trafford Council to install 1500 rail seats in their stadium to trial next season, and if they are as success they intend to install more in several sections of the ground
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay strong George.. I will pray for you..
LikeLiked by 1 person
If the FA really want to look after English, or British players , perhaps they should have instructed Mike Riley to tell his referees to give the likes of Jack and Rambo the same protection they give Salah, Mane, Firminio, and a host of non English players at the likes of Utd and Chelsea and others
LikeLiked by 1 person
something not adding up with the reports about EPL restart, latest one is that club medics believe that even if players or staff come down with the virus games would not be affected, the player or staff member stricken with it would just be taken out of the group and games would go ahead. They are trying to use the fact that when a NHS member of staff or medic, nurse etc get it the hospital does not close.
This logic is bat shit crazy and shows that money is all that matters to the football clubs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see George back on Twitter
LikeLiked by 2 people
The grumpy one tweeted….
LikeLiked by 1 person
can anyone explain why the EPL are proposing neutral venues for all remaining fixtures if season is to be finished, firstly why neutral venues, why are all EPL grounds not suitable, secondly how could doing this in any way keep the “integrity of the competition”, something that the EPL are very keen to highlight as a major criteria in their decision making. How can we have integrity of the competition if any club plays more home games than another, how can it be fair for say Aston Villa to play away at LFC, AFC, CFC, MC, but a rival get to play them at a neutral venue, same with home games.
I still don’t get how it can be deemed alright to finish the EPL after the end of June, when loans expire on last day of June, as do many players contracts, some have already signed deals to start on July 1st with other clubs, also how will sponsors react, imagine you have a deal starting on July 1st but current sponsor has deal to end of this season, how will that work. New Kit suppliers for example might have a case.
We also have the odd situation that Arsenal might be able to field William Saliba as he was listed in our U21 EPL player list for this season, and now that Lique 1 has been abandoned he is free to join up with AFC and it seems play for us if the EPL season restarts. Is that fair on our rivals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ireland’s staged plan to reopening
So below is a look at what will reopen across all five phases with the dates.
Sorry ladies, hairdressers not due to open until July 10th!!
That being said, this is subject to change depending on the growth rate of Covid-19 when lockdown begins to end.
May 18th Phase 1:
-Continue to avoid unnecessary journeys.
-Up to 4 people not of same house allowed to meet outdoors while maintaining social distancing
– Continue to avoid non-essential social visiting
– Still only 10 people allowed to funerals (only family.)
– Opening of school and college buildings for access by teachers for orgs and remote learning
– Registered childcare workers to provide support in an essential healthcare worker’s home
-Phased return of outdoor workers (construction, gardeners)
-Continue remote working where possible
Phase 2 – June 8th:
– Can travel 20km outside home but continue to avoid unnecessary journeys
-Designate specific retail hours coordinated across all retailers for over 70s & medically and vulnerable with strict social distancing – provision of gloves ideally covering face
-Visits to homes of those aged over 70 by no more than a small number of a short time (social distance, cover face)
-Up to 4 people may visit another house for a short while (social distancing)
-Slightly larger number of people can attend funerals
Phase 3 – June 29th
-Maintain restriction to within 20km of your home
-Open playgrounds
-Behind closed doors sporting events
Open cafes and restaurants providing food drink only if can adhere to social distancing
– Opening of creches, childminders and pre-schools for children of essential workers
Phase 4 – July 20th
– Extend travel to outside region
– Larger numbers can visit other homes
Small social gatherings allowed by family and close friends but have to be able to maintain social distancing (e.g small weddings, baptisms)
-Open hotels but bars to remain closed
-Permit sports team leagues
-Open swimming pools
-Open hairdressers
– Opening of creches, childminders and pre-schools for all other workers but only one day per week and slowly increasing thereafter
Phase 5 – August 10th
-Large social gatherings (e.g weddings) to be restricted due to risk
-Large non family gatherings restricted due to risk
-Open cinemas
-Permit close physical contact sports
Open bars, nightclubs but only where social distancing can be followed
-Festivals/events but have to adhere to social distancing
LikeLike
That’s a laugh, in England construction and landscaping hasn’t stopped. I work for a pharma company so have continued working and while I’m traveling to work I seen loads of sign written non essential vans. The traffic in the last couple of weeks has gone up tremendously. TBH compared to other countries we’ve been on lockdown life and have never really got anywhere near a proper lockdown.
Massive government failure in every area, 2nd worst death rate in Europe and were still so apathetic no one is calling for the government’s head, amazing really.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That should read lockdown lite
LikeLiked by 1 person
well ian the media will not call out the government after all they have backed them all the way into and keeping power, and the majority of people will not call them out on it cos they voted them in and kept them in power, and will no doubt vote them in next time around too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
just to point out on that list is that “close physical contact sports” will only return in Ireland at the earliest by August 10th, but somehow in the UK, which has a higher rate of deaths the EPL want to return later this month or early next month to finish a season, laughably on neutral venues.
LikeLiked by 2 people
it seems the EPL meeting on Friday had a lot more questions than answers,
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8279037/MARTIN-SAMUEL-battle-lines-drawn-Premier-Leagues-bottom-teams.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
some people suggest that the experience if this lockdown will have changed us all, that we will value things more, be nicer to each other, take care if the planet more, etc etc etc, well for me we only have to look at football fans on the web to see that if anything people will be even more self serving, it will be more and more “I want” culture, after all “we deserve it” cos we had to endure the lockdown.
look at Arsenal fans for example, our squad have taken a 12.5% pay cut to help out the club financially, Raul has e mailed staff to tell them that new signings are not a priority this summer, yet many bloggers and twitteratti are demanding 4, 5 or 6 massive signings, £200M wouldn’t cover it.
Well I expect we will sign Mari for a small fee, Cedric on a bosman and there is lots of talk about that PSG leftback on a bosman. we might take the swap Roma are said to have offered, Under for Mkhitaryan. If we sell one of our bigger named players we then might see a major signing like Partey or Upacamanto brought in, but there will be no major loss in our transfer dealings this summer, I doubt there will be for most EPL clubs
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good afternoon. I’m back, of a fashion.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Great to see you back PG!
LikeLiked by 1 person
a question for any of you who know what the surrounds of club grounds in England are like,
The EPL say that the 92 remaining games of this season’s EPL will have to be played at 10 neutral grounds, and that these grounds must be easily blocked off so at to discourage fans from turning up at the grounds when games are on. So what grounds fulfill this criteria, EPL grounds, Championship grounds, league grounds, even non league grounds (as it don’t need to be a big stadium when no fans are going to be let in)
I can’t think of any of the London grounds that would suit, and afaik Anfield, Goodison, Old Trafford don’t meet the criteria either
Glenn Murray of Brighton made a good point on Football Focus re any restart of the league, he asked how could football justify having ambulances on stand by at games when NHS is stretched so much.
Not only that but as the EPL has implied fans are likely to try and turn up at the games, so lots of Police will have to be in attendance even if no fans are to be let in.
Then we come to the problem of how do the EPL make sure all clubs have similar travel to these neutral venues, also surely each club will have to get as near as possible same number of games at each venue, basically one game per venue, cos if it ends up any side gets say 3 or 4 games at the same venue when opponents only get one, it means an unfair advantage.
I really don’t know why if the season is to be completed that games can’t go ahead at each clubs own stadium or training ground, this neutral venue thing is bullshit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Think many EPL, championship and below, grounds would have a hell of a job meeting this criteria .
If there are no fans, these games could go ahead virtually anywhere, as you say, training grounds, perhaps abroad, NZ seems pretty safe, apart from the air travel! Antarctica!
Just sounds a bad idea all round, but we know it’s going to happen. I suspect the players will be wary, maybe even a little scared, this will reduce to competitiveness and quality of the games.
Most of us are going to soon have to return to work and life in general in an environment many have been made very frightened of. Hell, we cannot even congregate with friends in parks of following the guidelines, a couple walking up a hill in the
Peak District is deemed dangerous and unacceptable, yet we will soon return to offices via public transport .and we dont even have the strictest lockdown. How will players feel about returning to a highly contact sport after this? And playing so many games after an enforced break, sounds like a recipe for injuries at best.
If football returns before next season in this environment, as much as I miss the games, it will only for one reason.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Glad to see you back George
Re football, I think this long lay off may have broken my addiction as I find that my interest is currently extremely low. Football seems very unimportant in the scheme of things and I can only see this obscene rush to play games as about one thing – money. I feel pretty disgusted by It. But I shouldn’t be really, as it’s just reflective of the shitty values of the world in which we live.
LikeLiked by 6 people
well reports are that the EPL clubs with most to lose, as in relegation, are all opposed to a restart and want the season voided, and its said that at least 10 clubs are fearing relegation and 14 votes are needed for a restart, then there is a lot of persuading or bullying to be done to make them risk a restart. It seems the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Spurs and Chelsea plus Leicester City, Wolves and Sheffield Utd are the only ones pushing for a restart as they all look to either the money or for some getting in CL or EL next season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
talking of money in the game, the only thing left for the Newcastle takeover is for EPL to pass their potential owners as fit and proper, and as we know the Saudies are far from fit and proper but does anyone expect the EPL to let that stop them passing them.
If Newcastle do get their new mega rich owners, there could not be a better time for them to take advantage of vast amounts of money. Unlike CFC and MC when they became newly rich, Newcastle may not have to double player wages, or pay over the top fees to get their men, what with so many clubs in financial trouble due to C19, and players taking wage cuts or deferrals, it might be a lot easier for the Toon to build a title winning squad. As someone said on Twitter during the week, if this Newcastle takeover happens we might see in five years time people hear someone say Utd, know that they mean Newcastle Utd and not Man Utd
LikeLiked by 1 person
Afraid there no chance that the Newcastle takeover will be stopped by the football authorities, unfortunately.
Even if there was a will to do so, and I sincerely doubt there is, NUFC would cite hypocrisy, stating how cosy the UK government is with the Saudis, supplying them weapons and technology to bomb civilians in Yemen for starters.
Just feel for Mike Riley, that will be yet another team he has to look after, and run by one of the the most dangerous tyrants going. The refs and VAR stooges won’t know if they are coming or going, how do they look after Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Leicester, Newcastle, perhaps City when their punishment has been served, and whoever the media flavour of any given season happens to be ? Mike Riley will need the brain of a super computer, a tough task for a man initially appointed not on ability but because he was Fergies yes man and Scudamores useful idiot
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good afternoon guys and the wonderful ladies. It’s been a while. Hope all of you are doing okay and that the lockdown are not too hard on yous. For those working, looking at you Ian, stay safe out there and mask up.
Happy to see you on the mend BG. You had us all worried. Take care man and come back stronger.
Eddie: just read your comment at the top of the page @ April 29, 2020 at 7:40pm, re FA looking to bring number of foreign players down to 2(?) within the next 5-6 yrs. We knew that was bound to happen with Brexit and all.
Now… what does this mean for all those idiots demanding rockstar signings. More importantly, what does it mean for the potential Saudi takeover at Newcastle. Will they corner the market for the best Britain talent. So many questions man.
Sidenote: I doubt the season will restart. Just too many moving parts.
LikeLiked by 2 people
George, Great to hear from you. Here is hoping for your full return amongst the hale and hardy soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
laughably it seems the EPL to try and get the lower teams onside with neutral venues are willing to scrap relegation, well so much for the integrity of the league. There is no point of finishing the league if relegation is off the table, it will just confirm what many have thought is the one and only real reason why they want to play on, Money.
LikeLike
The Emirates would be easy to shut off from fans as the only access is from two bridges and three sets of stairs. The police have previously restricted fans without tickets from a wider zone around Highbury so the Emirates should be even easier.
As for the Newcastle takeover, if the consortium consisted of Hitler, Stalin, Pol pot and Thatcher the PL would OK it.
LG, actually masks protect other people from you but make you more likely to get the virus as they act like little incubators.
While I understand the difficulties in restarting the league just righting off a whole season is also ridiculous. Serious thinking needs to come to a compromise that is fair for all.
LikeLike
Hello George,
Glad to hear you are feeling better,
Wishing you and yours all the best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome back PG….
During these ”unprecedented” times I too, like Passenal, have come to appreciate what is really important in life.
I still despise the spuds….
LikeLiked by 2 people
‘It would be something great to play for a club like Arsenal’: Ismet Lushaku’s trial delayed due to coronavirus pandemic
by jeorge bird
Ismet Lushaku, a talented youngster whose trial at Arsenal was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, has spoken of his desire to join the Gunners.
The 19-year-old midfielder currently plays for Eskilstuna in Sweden and has impressed Arsenal’s scouts.
Lushaku told KTV: ‘It would be something great to play for a club like Arsenal’.
Despite having been born in Sweden, Lushaku recently made his senior international debut for Kosovo against Sweden.
Lushaku, who was previously linked with Southampton and Villarreal, is usually deployed as a central midfielder but can play in a deeper position. In addition to Arsenal’s interest, he has offers from Wolverhampton Wanderers as well as clubs from Denmark, Sweden and Germany.
The youngster was supposed to train with Arsenal’s U23 side in February and play some games at that level before training with the first-team but he was unable to travel as he had cup games with Eskilstuna.
Arsenal contacted Lushaku again in March but it was then decided to delay the trial again due to the current pandemic.
Lushaku hopes that, if the situation allows, he will be able to train with Arsenal in the summer and hopefully earn a contract.
LikeLike
the bundesliga clubs returned to training last week and so far they have had 10 positive tests for the virus, yet seem to be still pushing to restart their league
LikeLike
COYG!
LikeLike
Happy to hear you are doing OK George.
Wishing you peace and strength through the next period.
I for one am looking forward to watching Mikel Arteta at work.
LikeLike
David Ornstein
@David_Ornstein
·
1h
EXCLUSIVE: Club doctors sent email to Premier League on Mon listing around 100 concerns/questions they want addressing on Return to Training protocol, most notably “How can we ‘approve’ guidelines that still carry risk of death?”. Full story @TheAthleticUK
LikeLike
I trust you are all well and safe.
I have totally lost interest in this season and may have lost it entirely.
I see no point in trying to finish the season and certainly not with this hair-brained idea of doing so in neutral venues.
Maybe, and I am sure we all hope this, the greed of players, teams and agents will come to an end and football becomes something that we can all enjoy again.
Transfer fees and salaries must come down substantially.
The EPL and FA need root and branch reform as does the refereeing system.
Without this then many people like myself are likely to find something more important and interesting to do with our time and thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The club’s Lockdown podcasts feature some engaging chats w/ Szczesny, Senderos, and Lauren.
LikeLike
Dutch health minister Hugo de Jonge says Fans will not be able to attend football matches in the Netherlands until there is a coronavirus vaccine,
LikeLike
I see the Sheffield Utd and Man UTd managers have said they will not hold it against any of their players who refuse to play over concerns about C19, if the EPL restarts
laughably it seems FIFA will alow 5 or maybe 6 subs to be used, no VAR, they are also trying to get an agreement with player unions to 3 month contract extensions for all those whose contracts are up end of june
EPL trying to bully clubs into resuming the league too, despite reports today that leagues one and two will be voided, with a home and away points per game deciding on final positions
LikeLike
with the top two tiers of the German league due to start next weekend, Dynamo Dresden have through a real big spanner in the works, their entire playing and coaching staff have gone into 14 days of isolation after a positive test to one of the players or staff. Surely the Germans will have to pull the restart.
LikeLike
now Brighton have a player test positive
LikeLike
3 top flight clubs in Portugal have today had a player test positive for C19
LikeLike
Sky Sports News
@SkySportsNews
·
4h
La Liga has confirmed that five players across Spain’s top two divisions have tested positive for coronavirus.
LikeLike
LikeLike
latest reports are that the EPL might start on June 19th, after managers and players raised concerns about a restart.
Clubs are set to be allow to train in groups of five from Monday, it had been hoped by the EPL that this would see the league restart on June 1st
LikeLike
reports tonight that Kenny Sansom is in hospital fighting for his life after suffering serious head injuries in a drunken row
Sansom has had a drink problem for some time now, its sad to see the guy unable to beat his demons
LikeLike
Hope Kenny pulls through, he has had a difficult time of things.
On another note, Mr Emery has been chirping in the press, he felt alone and wanted Wilfred zaha, not Pepe, and wasn’t especially keen on losing Ramsey on top of the other captains apparently, allegedly .
.maybe he had a point, But he kept quiet. Wenger would not have kept quiet in such circumstances, assuming emery is accurate here.
Best be careful what you sign up for and who you sell out to eh Unai? If you dance with the devil you better know his tune. I doubt if Arteta would be so compliant
To think I spent time trying to support this man
At the risk of sounding like Rosicky on here, FFS, just get Wenger back at this club, however unlikely that may be
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi guys, been away awhile.
Thank God you are o.k. George, with the prayers of everyone here , it’s never in doubt that you will recover.
LikeLike
On the decision on the football season in England, I think the premier league and the fa are finding it hard to take decision because Liverpool are the club on top and being their favorite team they will not like to take the most logical decision which is to cancel this season and start afresh by October.
This question is for some of your who much older. Has there ever verb a time like this in the past when the league have been this disrupted? If yes, what happened.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Layksite, I think you might be right about the Liverpool factor in the decision making process as well as the money factor! The fact that they are seriously talking about how to play a game is so irresponsible. It just goes to show they really don’t care about the players wellbeing at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Football restarting today in Germany. Sounds daft but I find it hard to imagine watching a game at minute, let alone Arsenal one. Not that I don’t want to or anything, just feels very weird. Probably only gone more than a week without watching a live game a couple of times last decade or more before this, as always something on somewhere in summer. Now 8, 10 weeks or whatever it is. Connection feels broken. Maybe it’ll be like riding a bike. Feck knows.
LikeLike