Rumours of Fabregas leaving not a problem for Arsenal - Djourou

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has said speculation about the sale of captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona has not been a distraction for the club's players.

The Gunners had rejected an initial bid from the Catalans but are expecting an improved offer for the 24-year-old.

"We know there will be stories but we know what we're aiming for and what our goal is," Djourou told the BBC.

"We want to be successful so we don't really get distracted by this. If he [Fabregas] goes, he goes."
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Experience is very important but now if you look around this team we have been here for a long time, so it's no more an excuse to say we don't have experience

Johan Djourou

While Djourou remains hopeful that his team-mate will stay at the Emirates, he said the departure of Fabregas would provide others with opportunities to impress.

Last season, it was suggested that French midfielder Samir Nasri was more effective when the Spaniard was not in the side, a perspective Djourou understands.

"It could be true because when you look at players who normally come out and express themselves, it's when someone goes," the Swiss international told Match of the Day magazine.

"When Thierry [Henry] went, Cesc expressed himself even more, but the two together [Fabregas and Nasri] are great so you'd rather keep them. If someone goes then I'm sure someone will step up."

Whether or not Fabregas stays, Djourou said Arsenal no longer have any excuses if they fail to end their wait for a trophy, which stretches back to their FA Cup success in 2005.

"Sometimes you're missing a little something to give you what you deserve," he said. "Last season we were so close to trophies but also so far. There was a little bit missing but it's not much.

"It's hard to say what's missing. We have players who are still young and who will grow up. Experience is very important but now if you look around this team we have been here for a long time, so it's no more an excuse to say we don't have experience."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14063772.stm

Apparently, Barca will offer 35 million + Maxwell. Not a bad deal for Arsenal really. Helps deal with the Clichy departure too. Maxwell is definitely worth 5 million.

sportsczy wrote:Apparently, Barca will offer 35 million + Maxwell. Not a bad deal for Arsenal really. Helps deal with the Clichy departure too. Maxwell is definitely worth 5 million.

That could be a good deal, not sure if Wenger wants Maxwell though.

Maxwell would be the perfect player at LB to allow for the youngster to get his feet wet here and there. You don't want to throw a completely inexperienced LB into the fray... and next year is going to be such a key season for Arsenal and Wenger.

Nice to have a good and veteran defender in there.

The only thing is if Nasri goes Wenger will not let Cesc leave and it looks like it Nasri will be leaving us. I dont think he will leave, but the papers have drove me crazy about him leaving so I guess he is leaving.

Maxwell>Nothing

but... while Maxwell is better than nothing, the thing about nothing is that we'd sign someone to fill the gap, who would be better than maxwell.

well i dont know so much about maxwell but yeah he must be at least better than traore so yeah will be good deal.

We can do much better than Maxwell. He's not a great defender, and is more of a left winger if anything.

Would rather we keep Cesc and just buy a left back.

Anyway, I'm loving Djourou's positive attitude and he's totally right. The team can't be fretting about players leaving and what have you and if they do, then somebody in the team will step up and improve. That's how it's always been.

The faster we can get ride of the players dont want to be at Arsenal the better is for the rest of the guys. Players leaving will effect some players but its good for other players to step up and take their place and show what they can do.

why cant they just give us the other 5 million ffs?


barca are so lame for this

Maxwell is surely better than nothing, but it wouldnt take long for you to understand why inter let him go and why pep went to sign Adriano just a year after he signed Maxwell.

St_Nick09_of_Goal wrote:Maxwell is surely better than nothing, but it wouldnt take long for you to understand why inter let him go and why pep went to sign Adriano just a year after he signed Maxwell.

cuz pep is a fail at transfers?

the way walcott destroyed him.... I dont even want to think what will the likes of suarez will do to him

ali8775 wrote:

St_Nick09_of_Goal wrote:Maxwell is surely better than nothing, but it wouldnt take long for you to understand why inter let him go and why pep went to sign Adriano just a year after he signed Maxwell.

cuz pep is a fail at transfers?

yup, he didnt see just how bad of a defender he was.

I think someone like Cissokho would be awesome for arsenal. Fantastic athlete, under the coaching of Wenger he can fulfill his potential.

Barcelona are on a cheapskate flex. Hurry up and buy!

Kudos @ Djourou ..loool..sure ..if he goes -he goes..that's it...n that must not affect the club ..no way..imo

Maxwell is crap, and is also old. Well, not crap, but as said he can't defend. Barcelona need to let lose the cash.

I don't get it - whats 7m debt on top of their current 600m debt, or whatever it is?

Maxwell is worth 5 million was my point (not sure what his wages are though)... and like someone mentioned, Maxwell>nothing lol.

You can't go into the season with 1 legit LB that has zero experience. Need to have at least some backup there.

sportsczy wrote:Maxwell is worth 5 million was my point (not sure what his wages are though)... and like someone mentioned, Maxwell>nothing lol.

You can't go into the season with 1 legit LB that has zero experience. Need to have at least some backup there.

Maxwell is awful. might as well chuck in Traore there and

Johaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

Kiwigunner wrote:I don't get it - whats 7m debt on top of their current 600m debt, or whatever it is?

I guess they're not Madrid who can splash the cash then double earnings in shirt sales