If it's not a deal breaker, then Barca will probably stick to their guns. How does the cut work - a percent of anything above £27m?
Is that more to do with Arteta being more disciplined and reading the game well, than actually being told to stay back and defend more? The problem we had with midfield's of the past was players used to leave big gaping holes in front of our back 4, which left us vulnerable. Ramsey goes forward as he's younger, quicker and has a better engine than Arteta. But he also goes back and supports when he needs to. Arteta's primary role is CM but can play a supplementary role of DM, which he does more now as he is past his physical peak. Ultimately Wenger is looking for a dynamic midfield where they take turns to tackle and hassle.
Arteta does shield, and actually began his career as a "pivot" with Barcelona. He moved further forward at Rangers as he was the best player they had, and continued this role for Everton.
But he's not a DM in the truest sense like a Makelele or Gattuso. He's a CM that has adapted to play a variety of midfielding roles. It's his awareness and reading of the game that makes him good.
Everyone sees Fab as a natural replacement for Arteta but I don't know why. He could do a job there but I see him as competition for Ãzil, Ramsey and Jack. He can play in most positions in midfield and do them well. Signing him need not spell the end of a defensive minded player!
Cesc would add so much strength, so much depth, so much creativity to the team. It's a long season, Arsenal play in 4 competitions and need a squad to rotate. Ozil gets injured? Replace him with Fabregas!! Amazing. Everyone saw what happened when a couple of midfielders were injured last season, how can people not think depth is required??
"And Madrid are hoping that they can replace Turan while still netting a tidy profit with a bid for Cazorla. Cazorla's place in the Gunners midfield has increasingly come under threat from the. likes of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere and the 29 year-old may be ready to contemplate a return to Spain. And Spanish international defender Juanfran says he is already on the recruitment warpath. He said last week: "I'm trying to convince everyone that no one should leave, and with many of the selection [Spanish national team] I'm trying to convince them to come to Atletico Madrid. Santi [Cazorla] is one of them."
Controversial. Although I would take Cesc over Caz as he is an upgrade, Caz however can play on the wings and you would reduce our squad depth. We should really be looking to add than lose our best players like Caz.
I said yes as there are players in the Arsenal squad in midfield that Fabregas is much better than so he must only improve the squad.
Arsenal management will rue the mistake they made here. It makes the RVP transfer look good in comparison....
