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Should Arsenal play Fabregas in their Champions League play-off to spite Barcelona?

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So the Champions League play-off draw has been made, Arsenal will face Serie A outfit Udinese for a place in the illustrious European competition this season.

The Gunners have reportedly rejected Barcelona’s latest bid for captain Cesc Fabregas, which has left many wondering, will the Spaniard be included in the Champions League game against Udinese on the 16th of August?

If Arsenal do decide to play Fabregas in the two legged tie, then it would mean that he would be unable to play in the same competition for Barcelona (should he sign for them of course) this season, a move that has no doubt sent alarm bells ringing in Catalonia.

This would be a very shrewd move by Arsene Wenger if he were to do it, as it would force Barcelona to bid for the player before the game against Udinese commences.

As the day’s countdown, Barca will have to make a decision, they either up their bid and meet Arsenal’s valuation for Fabregas, or resign to no signing this summer, either way it would be considered a win-win situation for the north London club.

In my view we have nothing to lose by playing Cesc Fabregas in the Champions League play-off. If Barcelona are that determined to sign him then they will have to stop tabling insulting offers for our captain and give us an offer that we would accept. If they don’t do this, then they risk him not being able to play in the Champions League this season, a move that would undoubtedly make the Spanish club furious.

It is widely reported that the relationship between the two clubs is at an all time low and this is predominantly down to Barca’s treatment towards us. Comments made by several Barcelona players, especially Xavi, have worsened the situation immensely – is there any wonder why we are threatening to make Fabregas cup-tied for the competition, again, a move that would benefit Arsenal, especially if we were to meet them in the latter stages of the competition.

I for one am glad that we have decided to stand up to Barcelona and push them around for once.

They may be one of the world’s biggest clubs, but the way that they do business is disgusting and it’s about time that someone (Arsenal) showed them that other teams have a voice.

Put up or shut up Barca, end of.

So, should Arsenal play Fabregas in their play-off game against Udinese?

Give us your thoughts on the matter

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18 comments

  • Festus olugbemiga says:

    D truth of d matter is,AW should play him to make him ineligible even if they come wth d right price.I don’t know what dis catanial call Arsenal,imagine they paid a huge amount of money to sign sachez when they know that they need fabregas most.

  • i will not says fabregers should play or not to play in d sense dat if barca wat fabregers dey should pay wat wenger ask dem to pay,

  • Jamce says:

    Play Cesc and if need be don’t sell if Barca don’t come up with the £40m.

  • Himself says:

    Cesc can only be d loser here. If he refuses to play, arsene shouldn’t force him. Let him betray d manager finally as he has already betrayed d fans and his teammates. He’ll come to his senses on sept 1st when barca would’ve refused to up their bid and of course he’ll still remain at arsenal. He’ll then have a load of finding d heart of three parties, we d fans, his teammates and Arsene.

  • mr creosote says:

    I imagine Wenger wont use him unless he has to. Purely because playing him devalues him to Barca. Expect a recurrence of his hamstring problem. Shame his time at the club is ending this way.

  • Bob Smatt says:

    Hamstring or unwilling to play, I would send him on in a wheelchair for the first 3 minutes. And whats all this about an offer with add-ons. If Barca win the Spanish title and the C.L. for the next 5 years etc, Arsenal get another 6 million. Christ he’s a Spanish international with about 40 caps – what does he need to prove. £40 million in cash, up front, no instalments and first offer on Messi! No likee then f**k off.

  • Arsenal4life says:

    WENGER Does not have the BALLS!!

    He has ruined us, Mata wud have added to the squad whether nasri or cesc stayed or not, plus he was a abosolute bargin!!!

    No CB again! I use to have so much respect for him, now I can’t stand him!

  • Arsenal4life says:

    WENGER Does not have the BALLS!!

    He has ruined us, Mata wud have added to the squad whether nasri or cesc stayed or not, plus he was a abosolute bargin!!!

    No CB again! I use to have so much respect for him, now I can’t stand him!

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