Arshavin:Cesc is a close friend off the pitch

Arshavin recently did an interview which is up on his website. He was asked questions that were sent in by Arsenal fans. One of the questions asked who his best friends off the pitch were. Here is a small quote from Arshavin in relation to that question: “My best mates off the pitch would be Cesc, Bendtner and Toure.”

I figured that they were friends from the training pictures that we’ve seen of those two together.

Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United

Arsenal drew with Manchester United, which meant that Manchester United won the Premier League for the 18th time.Arsenal played well, dominating possession, but unfortunately they were unable to convert any of the chances. Full match report here

I have put up 3 pictures of Cesc at the match in the latest photos section. I wasn’t able to find any others- as you can imagine, most of the pictures were those of Man United celebrating.

Cesc doesn’t regret choosing to join Arsenal

I know it is a bit late posting this, but I was at work and so I can only post these now. Here were quotes from Cesc before the Man United match.

First off, Cesc spoke to the Sun about the Manchester United game:

“It will be hard to clap United off the pitch as champions and we will do all we can to make them wait another week for the title. But if we have to do it, we will. We have to be men about these things and they deserve to be champions.This game is another opportunity for Arsenal to show what we can do before the season ends.

We must do the best we can, but not because victory will make us better or defeat would be a disaster. We need to be professional and show we can compete with the best.”

Cesc went on to talk about the trophies and his disappointment:

“It’s not been a great week for Arsenal.But then again, it’s been a disappointing month.Everything started to go wrong with the FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea. We were on a very good run until then.But we’ve been going down since then and we haven’t been at the level everyone expected.

We didn’t win the games that mattered and that is something we have got to look at.We want to win trophies. We don’t want to be a team that plays well but wins nothing.

Our season is over and once again we have no titles to play for, only our pride and our supporters.Of course it has been a season of disappointment for Arsenal.

Any season when you don’t win anything is hard to take and now it’s four years without a trophy. That is very hard for a club like Arsenal and all the players feel responsible for that. We have a very big job to do and we didn’t do it well enough.We all feel we could have done better and maybe some things have to change before we start winning things again.

“From a football point of view, we are on a level with any team in the world.But now we need to be as competitive as they are to fight for success.”

Cesc, one again, reaffirmed his commitment to the club:

“I wouldn’t be so committed to the club if I didn’t believe we will win trophies.For the last four summers people have been saying ‘Oh, Cesc will leave now’ but I am still here and I will be here next season as well.
It does become more disappointing every year without a trophy. Every player wants to win. But I repeat once again, I am very happy at Arsenal.

Even though we have not been at the level to win things this time, we were still in the semi-finals of the Champions League and the FA Cup.
I believe this team has a lot of potential.

All the big clubs go through patches when they don’t win anything but they always come back.Arsenal are one of those clubs. We will come back for sure.No one can say we didn’t try hard enough or give our best. The other teams were just better than us this season.

It’s not my job to say what needs to change. That’s down to the boss. He knows what he is doing.”

Cesc also said that he did not regret leaving Barcelona to come to Arsenal, after suggestions that he would have been better off had he stayed at the Nou Camp.

Everyone knows why I came to Arsenal and it has been proved to be the right decision.

I was only 22 last week yet I have already played more than 200 games for this club and nearly 40 games for my country.I’ve won the European Championship and played in the Champions League final, the FA Cup final and the Carling Cup final.

I would not have got those opportunities at any other club. Everyone chooses their own life and I believe I made the right choice.”

Wenger: Cesc will be back to his best next season

In his pre match conference Wenger spoke about Cesc, saying that Cesc isn’t back to his best yet but will be next season(source):

“You will see the real Cesc Fabregas next season.He’s not completely [back to his best] yet. That is natural when a player has been out for three months. It takes him some time to come back completely.

He is a player who cares about results and nobody comes back 100 per cent. You cannot care and not be affected.I believe he has been very strong mentally, resolute and determined. He has given as much as he can. He is the new captain and has learned his job.

You will see Fabregas in good form next season.”

Related posts:

1. Arshavin joins Arsenal