I can see where Arsenal fans are coming from in that us spurs fans like to talk the talk and every season we always end up finishing below them but even the most passionate Arsenal fan would admit that spurs are very close if not equal to Arsenal in terms of Quality. With a few class additions there is no doubt we could finish above Arsenal but will spurs make these class additions? Judging by our history in the Transfer Market i don't think so
I think Spurs are closer to Arsenal than they have been for the last sixteen years, but overtake us? I'm still not convinced. Spurs have had two relatively good seasons, whilst we've had two pretty terrible ones (by each of our own standards) There's no doubt that Spurs have got great quality and on their day, they can beat anyone. But as you mention, they are not the type of club that attracts the very best players required to take them to another level.
Fabregas is almost certainly gone. Guardiola is saying today that he is "very confident" Re Nasri, if he signs a new contract, he's obviously staying - if not, he only has one year left, and you'll have to sell to stop him walking.
Fabregas may go, I think it's delaying the inevitable if he doesn't. Nasri on the other hand will be an Arsenal player this season. Wenger has already said so. Hopefully he'll sign a new contract too, but if not then we'll have to let him go on a free. There is no way Wenger will sell both Fabregas and Nasri in the same window. So for the creative attacking MF position, we have Nasri, Wilshere and Ramsey who can all play in that position if Fabregas leaves.
Any club would miss Fabregas - he's world class, and that's why Barca want him back. Whatever cover you may think you have, you will miss him as much as we would miss Modric.
Have to say, I don't see the value of Ramsey. Admittedly coming back from that injury must be tough, but he doesn't look anywhere close to Fabregas. Nasri is a good player on his day, but was rubbish for the second half of last season so you'd have to be sure he was more consistent. Possibly an attitude problem, which isn't going to be helped if he is counting down the days till he can leave. Wilshere could be a rival to Fabregas but is a way off yet.
So if Fabregas goes you'll keep an unhappy Nasri, Piskie? Wouldn't that be cutting off your nose to spite your face, especially as he'd go on a free at the end of the season, presuming that he doesn't sign a new contract?
This is all academic, because Naz is walking. Whinger is trying to play the hard man, but he just doesn't know how to do it properly. This will all backfire on him and the Gooners, and they will be considerably weakened. And if the Gooners persist with their Levy-esque hard-men tactic, forcing Naz to stay, and he fails to sign another contract, they are not only going to be incredibly weakened, but also look completely foolish. I'd go as far as to say it would be the most embarrassing thing to happen to the club since it was taken apart at the Nou Camp, in the CL, last season. Either way, I think we are going to be a stronger team than the Gooners next season. That's not just me saying that
One other thing, Piskie. When we finished 4th in the season before last, Modric missed a sizeable chunk of it with a broken leg and then was miles from his best for virtually all of the rest of it. He played brilliantly for us last season, but it's not like he's the only player that can play well in that role and that's without considering the possibility of us buying a replacement. Huddlestone plays the position in a very different manner, but he still does it very effectively. I believe that van der Vaart could do the job too, if used alongside a real enforcer like Sandro. Kranjcar has stated that he believes we'll keep him if Modric goes, so he could take over in the Dutchman's role. You have replacements for Fabregas available and will have cash to spare if he goes to Barca, but the same applies to us and Modric.
QPR fan in peace. Guys and girls, what your gaffers need to do is the following: Make a bid for Rob "Hulster" Hulse and Helgulson. Consider offering any of the following players in exchange: Kyl walker, Cesc Fabregas, Defeo, RVP. Now I can understand you are thinking...will the Rangers fans be happy being offered these players in exchange........and we will probably say yes. However, to really help seal the deal....you might have to throw in a doctor now we've signed Dyer. Now don't all rush but, as Noel Edmonds says.....Deal or No Deal?
Well if you're going to send a message to both us and the Goons, you may as well save time and post it on here, rather than on both boards!
