Since the Press Pack refuse to drop the Cesc Frenzy, I thought I'd chip in with my Two Penn'orth.

Background: I worked on Mallorca for 3 summers,and learned a little about the Barca - Madrid Rivalry.

History: Like the Glesga Old Firm, it has precious little to do with football. In short, Catalans passionately beleive they deserve to be an independant republic, and detest the imperialist, nationalist Madrid camp. Like all bigotry, it's based on ignorance and blatant oversight of the facts.

Modus Operandi: Yes, King Juan Carlos has written off Millions and Millions of Real Madrid debt over the years, but Barcelona are not without privilege and favour from the authorities either. Barca Public love to play the role of repressed and violated innocents, whilst happily poaching the best young talent from around Spain, Europe and Latin America. Both Clubs operate with a conceited disdain for the rules of the game and the law; both enjoy impunity through their massive, well-organised patronage networks. Of late, restricted by the current economic climate, they have increased their blatant abuse of the media, but this is merely an extension of their long-established, standard practice. Similar practices have been commonplace in Italy over a similar timescale, but this has been exposed due to greater number of competing clubs and political factions. In Spain, like Scotland, there are two major clubs, so they enjoy total media dominance.

Mes Que Un Club: Like the Old Firm, being a Barca or Madrid Fan is a culture; a way of life; a political ideology. Both Clubs have constitutional structures of a combination of Committee and Presidential management, superceding a 'public' ownership / supporters stakeholding model.

UEFA /FIFA: Why have they not intervened? Same reason they didnt intervene in Italy - Patronage (Pay-Offs, Sweeteners, call-it-waht-U-will).

Cesc Fabregas: Barca were MORE outraged at Arsenals PERCEIVED cheek and criminality, in 'stealing' one of their sons, 7 years ago, than we are now. This perception is simply wrong; misguided; and has NO basis in fact - but that is the 'BlauGranes' World that these people live in, just like the good folk of Govan and Shettleston. Cesc , by his own admission, has become a world-class player and a Man, at Arsenal. He's genuinely proud to be a Gooner and to Captain our great club. BUT, Cesc was born, raised and remains a 'Socio', and was always going to return home one day. If Arsenal had won silverware consistently, I have no doubt that he would be planning that return for the twilight of his career. What's more, at present, the Spain Midfield is and is likely to remain the Barca Midfield. This has cleared any concerns he may have had 2 years ago, about deposing Xavi n Iniesta, because Pep wants to play the 3 of them together for Barca, which, if successful, would shoehorn Cesc to a first-pick in the national side.

CONCLUSION: Cesc is an ambitious, world-class footballer, who craves medals and silverware. He is also a sensible, rational, grounded and LOYAL young man - a true rarity thesedays. I would be astounded if he submits a formal Transfer Request, because of his loyalty to Wenger and to us Gooners. IF he really wants to move this summer, he faces the unenviable task of looking Arsene dead in the eye, and convinving him that his heart cannot be committed to Arsenal for one, last season. Arsene knows Cesc has far more integrity than to sulk. Arsene and Cesc both know Barca cant afford to pay the going rate. Barca know Arsenal dont want any of their squad players as makeweights, with the possible exception of Assurin (but his value is insufficient to bridge the shortfall in Arsenals valuation of Cesc).

ARSENE NEEDS A TROPHY THIS SEASON - IS HE REALLY GOIN TO LET CESC GO FOR A PACKAGE LESS THAN £40MILL, THIS CLOSE TO THE TRANSFER WINDOW, WHEN HE KNOWS CESC WILL GIVE 100% UPON PROMISE OF RELEASE NEXT SUMMER? I think not!

As for Barca, they've been my spanish team since boyhood - the colours, then Cruyff. I tolerated El Bleedin Tel; I grudgingly forgave them 2006; but my shirt n tracksuit are now for sale on e-Bay; and I'm DESPERATE to draw them in Champs Lge Group Stage, so we can not only beat them home and away, but eliminate them early doors to boot!

Forca? FUCK YA BARCA!

YinA, CB!

GOONER Del.

Forgiven for 2006! Bollocks to that. They brutalised Arsenal and Henry in particular even when we went to 10 men. We scared the shit out of them when Sol scored and Puyol in particular just leapt into Henry every chance he got. Titi could barely run in the second half with bruises all over his legs and when he had the chance to put us 2-0 up his strngth gave way and the shot could not be delivered, he said so himself. Henry was blazing after the game , clearly disgusted at Barcelonas treatment of our beautiful football and I can never understand why Henry then a year later went to Barcelons and became team mates with the fuckers!

I agree that Cesc will go to 'them' eventually and rightly so as its his home team. No problem with that. I actually thought he was playing his last season, last season!

But make the bastards pay the going rate and put themselves in even more enormous debt.

Isn't it true that after the 2006 final Henry announced on the plane trip back, over the intercom, that he'd be staying at Arsenal? Maybe it was all the bruising that caused his decision to stick around!

But yep, it's a shame he ever joined them. I suppose he won the champions league in the end, so fair enough.