Why Arsenal supporters have no sympathy for Barcelona’s recent struggles – Tom Canton

Barcelona is going through one of the worst periods in its history sitting in 9^e place in the standings after 7 games having lost points in 4 games already this season.

The loss of Lionel Messi coupled with the inability to strengthen himself significantly due to financial restrictions has led to a focus on free transfers and cheap deals wherever possible to strengthen the squad last summer.

Ronald Koeman saw his side beaten by Bayern Munich at Camp Nou in the Champions League first round and remains under intense pressure to stop the slump.

Within the football community, there has been talk of the sadness associated with seeing such a gaming giant fall so far from the heights he was reaching.

Arsenal fans, however, have good reason not to share these feelings and, in turn, have no sympathy for the disgrace the Blaugrana are currently enduring.

Barcelona’s ridiculous spending on Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, to name a few, would still be frowned upon by the Gunners whose standalone model brought them under KSE ownership.

Therefore, seeing the club pay the price and losing people like Messi due to their overstretching in the market is seen as an advantage.

With such a historic academy at La Masia, the similarities that Arsenal and Barcelona used to draw not only for their style of play but also for their youth production have since been separated.

While Arsenal continue to call on talents such as Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka, Barca’s spending has blocked the way and the road has only recently been reopened for Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig.

The controversies between the clubs in the past also contribute to a lack of feeling on the Arsenal side. Robin van Persie’s famous red card at Camp Nou in the Champions League after allegedly kicking the ball despite not hearing the referees whistle. Steal a great opportunity to finally eliminate the tournament favorites for the first time.

Cesc Fabregas’ supposed move to Catalonia was a highlight throughout his last career in North London. After Spain‘s World Cup victory, Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique brazenly adorned Fabregas with a Barcelona jersey.

It did not go well with Arsenal loyalists as expected and the Blaugrana’s aversion escalated.

Honestly, however, one final reason probably lies in the similarity the two clubs share. Arsenal themselves have left Europe and are no longer in contention for the league titles. There is no time for sympathy when all the energy is directed to the club, frustrated with how this demise has come about.

Arsenal will want to return to the top as soon as possible. Yet even if they do, the likelihood of any consideration for Barca’s welfare will likely remain at an all-time high.

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