Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern watched on last night as their former youth player became the first Englishman to play for Barcelona since Gary Lineker left the Catalan giants back in 1989. The 19-year-old midfielder signed for Barcelona B from Arsenal’s U23 side two months ago and made his first start for the senior side last night as Barcelona beat Espanyol on penalties in the Catalan Supercup final.
McGuane became the latest name added to the long list of players signed from Arsenal by Barcelona, adding himself among the likes of Thierry Henry, Marc Overmars, Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Petit to achieve the feat. Although a more impressive achievement and one the youngster will no doubt savour, came last night as the defensive-midfielder came off the bench to play the last ten minutes in the Catalan Supercup final.
To make things even sweeter for the Greenwich-born midfielder, he watched on as his side secured a 4-2 penalty shoot-out win after drawing 0-0 in 90 minutes. Whilst the Gunners propping our bar up are no doubt pleased for the midfielder, they’ll be wondering how their club let the promising player leave the Emirates as he looks set to fight for a place in the Barcelona first-team.
Here’s the Arsenal fans’ verdict:
More great signs of our marvellous recruitment policy nowadays, eh? The vast majority of our current squad would NEVER make it onto the Barcelona bench, even if their entire first squad had the flu…
— Matt Forrester (@lavielemond) March 8, 2018
Marcus McGuane on a bench somewhere in Catalonia as Wenger still pins his hopes on Granit Xhaka, anchoring his midfield
— Park Atyenda (@RayBYC) March 7, 2018
how does McGuane make it to barca team but we still got xhaka? im baffed
— (@YasYeahia) March 8, 2018
Congratulations to former Arsenal midfielder Marcus McGuane on becoming the first Englishman since Gary Lineker in 1989 to feature for Barcelona’s senior team as he came off the bench to make his debut for the club against Espanyol last night. Nice one, @marcusmcguane58! #afc pic.twitter.com/FJqlDI54lK
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/TheRunner87/status/971693342974234624
https://twitter.com/SpecialKav/status/971691919561646080
Marcus McGuane is good enough to play for Barcelona in a cup final but couldn't get into the Arsenal first team? #What
— Amrit (@SgtSaltnPeppa) March 8, 2018
Why did we give this player away? Clearly he has ability. #afc
— A Fabulous Opera (@afabulousopera6) March 7, 2018
Marcus McGuane
— H (@HarryRiley96) 8 March 2018
