Reports are suggesting that Cesc Fabregas could be stripped of the Arsenal captaincy if he remains at the Emirates next season.
The Gunners recently rejected Barca’s first bid of £27 million for the 24-year-old Spaniard, but it is believed that Fabregas could leave the Emirates if the La Liga giants come back with an offer of around £35 million.
However, it is understood that Barcelona president Sandro Rosell may not meet Arsenal’s asking price for the midfielder, thus forcing Fabregas to remain a gunner for at least another year.
If this does ensue, then the Spaniard could well lose the armband to Dutch striker Robin van Persie or Belgian centre-back Thomas Vermaelen.
An Emirates source stated:
‘Cesc conducts himself with total professionalism in everything he does for Arsenal, but with all that has gone on there is a school of thought that he might not be the ideal candidate to remain as captain.’
‘Both Robin and Thomas have leadership attributes and the armband could well end up with one of them.’
Fabregas was appointed club captain back in 2008, taking over from William Gallas, and is understood to be ‘desperate’ to rejoin his boyhood club, despite being contracted to Arsenal until 2015.
The Spaniard will now have to wait anxiously to see if the two clubs can agree a deal in the upcoming weeks.
I, like many out there, don’t believe that Fabregas is a captain figure, a great player, but not of captain material. I’ll give credit to the guy and commend him for his efforts as he was very young when he was given the armband, but I believe Wenger should’ve never appointed him captain in the first place.
After once again expressing a desire to move back to Barcelona this summer, I strongly believe that it would be a mockery to see Fabregas, a player who clearly wants out, lead our boys out next season – it would send out the wrong message in my book.
If Fabregas does stay, then Wenger will have to replace him as captain, someone who bleeds Arsenal and is willing to give their all to the club
Although I believe Vermaelen would make a better captain (purely for his position), I believe it would be totally unfair to overlook the new Mr. Arsenal (in my opinion anyway) Robin van Persie, who has been with the club since 2004, and is obviously committed to the cause.
One thing is for certain, Fabregas must be stripped of captaincy if he remains an Arsenal – nothing personal Cesc.
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In all honesty I can understand the decision to strip him of captaincy if he doesn’t want to stay at the club then he should NOT be captain of the club. How is anyone prepared to respect a captain of team that is openly saying that he wants to leave and join Barcelona??
Good article. It does not make me think about wether or not Cesc should remain captain, HE SHOULD NOT. it makes me think who would be the better captain, Van Persie or Vermaelen. I’m sliding a bit to the van Persie purely because of his desire and determination to win. when arsenal lose 3-1 or 2-1 usually it’s van Persie with a consolation goal because of his never say die attitude
V.Persie is injured 90% of the time. Jack Wilshire or one of the new recruits should be captain. There is no captain material in the club apart from the 19 year old.If you think I am kidding rewatch the 4-4 draw with Newcastle from last season!
gotta be vermaelan
Fabragas should not be stripped of the captains arm band, he should be sold to the highest bidder this transfer window. He desires to play for Barca. He cannot play with enough passion for Arsenal when his heart is else where. Since Arsenal’s game is built around him, his lack of passion will affect our game. No doubt, he is a professional and that means he will try to give the minimum required of him in order for him not to get into trouble. We need to build our game around someone that has passion for the club. Passion will make you go the extra mile. Fabragas will not be able to do this for Arsenal with his heart elsewhere. Wenger should not be overtly attached emotionally to players. They don’t always repay his faith back. Denilson is a clear example of this fact. Football is also a business. Let us sell him to even Man City if they can pay 54m Pounds mentioned some time ago. We can improve our squad with that money beyond the level it is right now with Fabragas.
it must be VERMAELEN, van persie to remain as vice
Vermanator all day no doubt with Rvp as vice
it must be VERMAELEN, he’s a great player
“Stripped” is too strong a word and suggests a punishment, which is not the case. Fabregas has not been a good captain. He has always led purely by example, which is admirable, but he is not the dominant leader which Arsenal badly need.
Van Persie would be a worse choice, as strikers never make good captains. The answer must be Vermaelen, a physical presence, who can see how the game is progressing from the back four and won’t stand for any nonsense from team-mates OR opposition.
Of course he should not be stripped of the Captaincy – what an utterly stupid suggestion. If the likes of Campbell, Flamini, Agrobayor, Nasri and Clichy showed as much responsibility as Cesc we would not be in this situation.
He should be stripped of the captain arm band because his mind is at barca and he has not be committed to Arsenal it should be RVP and VERMAELEN should be vice