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Dear Cesc,
So we meet again. The last I remember of you was that troubling time, when you were not “mentally fit” to play for Arsenal at the beginning of the 2011/12 season and then kissing the Barcelona badge the next day. You are now back in London, ready to play against your beloved Arsenal for a team that Gooners all over the world comprehensively detest, the team that you think suits your “footballing abilities”. Good for you.
So let’s rewind a little for old time’s sake. You, like in the Mafioso parlance, made your bones at the Highbury. Despite all the talk of your “Barca DNA”. it was at Arsenal where you actually were given the chance to showcase your talent. That celebration at San Siro, after that highly improbable looking win in the round of 16 of the 2008 Champions League, against the defending champions AC Milan was like a watershed moment for most of the fans. who thought you were one of us; you definitely had that bond with Wenger.
But with constant rumours and a certain Liverpudlian goalkeeper having linked you with a move back to Spain, each passing summer things looked deteriorating on that front, and ultimately you had your wish of playing for Barcelona. While we all were withered more than shocked with the transfer, it was not the fondest of farewells, not one I had wished for a player like you.
Yes, granted it was all plausible in hindsight, A Catalan lad, wanting to go back to his country, to a club that was on top of its game. And to be frank after transfer debacles that we as Arsenal fans have endured, this was surely not the worst by any stretch of the imagination. So we all made our peace.
On the lines of Barcelona’s motto, Arsenal too had proven that they were more than a player which we showed time and again, despite falling on our face with a miserable summer that saw you and Nasri leave we were still able to hold fort and march on. Then we went and got our share of Germans who lifted our morale.
It is really strange how things change in football. Three years ago, you were the fulcrum of our team and now, while we had a major say in your future, we decided to say, to borrow words from a song that most of us Gooners used to listen to on repeat when you left us, Just turn around now; 'cause you're not welcome anymore.
While most of us were left wondering why Arsene never made that dream of seeing yourself and Ozil in the same team come true, we were reminded of a certain comment of yours when you had said that Ramsey and Wilshere are the future of Arsenal. And nobody would have liked it to see you hindering our future right? What we did was take a headstrong decision despite all your willingness to come back to the Emirates, which in some ways was similar to your decision to move to our bitter rivals.
I personally do not hold any grudge against you for going to Chelsea. At least you had some honest reason for it. For all those who say that common decency maintains that you should have moved elsewhere than return to the Premier league, I don’t want to sound too reductionist, but can anyone name a few players who have done the same?
Yes, Agger moved back to his homeland after Liverpool pushed him out but again examples like those are far and few in between. And yes, Dat guy Welbz, whose hat trick we are all raving about, while building him to be the new Thierry Henry, also did the same as you.
The fact that you moved to the blue side of London though unsettling is something I can live with. All said and done, the fact remains that we had a buy back clause in your contract which was deemed fit to not trigger. And we were right in doing that too. All the narratives presented by the media - on how you betrayed Arsenal with your return to the Premier League, or on how Wenger no more talks to you, or on how you are the new Judas for us (for the love of God! have we not had enough of our share of rotten, fetid apples who had way more impetuous looking exits and successes after leaving the haven that is the Emirates to term you as one?) are all fine examples of sophistry.
As for the game against us this Sunday, I know you will play your game, as you did whenever you clashed against Barcelona for us. The way you played to win against your boyhood club, despite injuries, and stepping up and competing was commendable.
I have learned to read less into facts such as you scoring and celebrating, or not celebrating against us or respecting the away fans. You can kiss the Chelsea badge for that matter. I’ve been taught that football is a game of eleven people and each one matters equally, so giving extra attention to you and your demeanour would be something I won’t go into as well.
I wish you all the luck. Not in a sappy, fanboy way, but in a way that let’s have the best of you competing with no ill will from my side. I will save the bouquets and brickbats for the future, when the time is right to write an ode to that Catalan kid who once displaced the mighty Vieira from the Invincibles line up. Till then you are just another opponent player.
My sincerest apathy to you.
Regards,
A Gooner.
