Its the last-ditch attempt to force through a move. Downing tools never paints a player in a particularly favourable light - even to the potential suitors, as it does demonstrate his willingness to renege on whats stipulated in his contract if the opportunity arises. However, French talisman Yohan Cabaye was so desperate to leave a stagnant Newcastle side for a side befitting his talents, that he pulled out all the stops to secure a move to Arsenal in the last week of the 2013 summer transfer window. And yes, that included refusing to play for the Magpies. Arsenal had lodged a £10 million bid for the Frenchman, which was swiftly rebuffed by the club, but the 27 year old playmaker then refused to travel with the squad for their opening day clash with Manchester City and again opted out of a home tie with West Ham. Once Newcastle held their ground, and Mesut Ozil signed for Arsenal instead, Cabaye was left in the uncomfortable position of turning to Plan B - courteously bow his head with tail very much between his legs, and beg for forgiveness so as to keep up match fitness in a World Cup year before once again using the club as a promotion tool in the next transfer window.
''If the fans were - or still are - mad at me for what happened, then I understand and I apologise to them. I want to come back from what happened. I was happy and I am still happy. I just want to score goals and play well. It was very, very good to be back in the team; a really nice feeling. - Yohan Cabaye, September 2013.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
