"This club is beyond finished", "I will never understand" - Barcelona fans unhappy as 31-year-old starts in La Liga fixture against Las Palmas
Barcelona fans aren't impressed to see Sergi Roberto start for the second game in a row when his side face Las Palmas tonight (January 4).
Xavi's Blaugrana visit the Estadio Gran Canaria, looking to build on their 3-2 win against Almeria last time out. Roberto repaid his manager's faith in starting him for that game by scoring a brace.
Roberto has struggled for game time this season, starting four of eight games across competitions. But, the versatile Spaniard is gaining more prominence in Xavi's side and starts against Las Palmas.
Tonight's game is vital for Barcelona as they look to make up ground in the La Liga title race. The Catalan giants sit fifth, 10 points behind joint leaders Real Madrid and Girona.
Xavi has opted to start Inaki Pena, with Joao Cancelo, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, and Alejandro Balde in defense.
Meanwhile, Roberto starts in midfield once again, alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Frenkie de Jong.
Raphinha starts in attack, with Robert Lewandowski who will be eager to get himself on the scoresheet. Ferran Torres joins the duo in Barcelona's frontline.
One fan slammed Xavi's decision to start Roberto:
"Sergi Roberto in 2024. Wallahi this club is beyond finished."
Another fan was equally as disappointed and asked:
"Sergi Roberto…. I wil NEVER understand."
Here's how fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted to the Spanish midfielder being handed a second consecutive start:
Barcelona's Sergi Roberto reportedly has an admirer in Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Roberto's future has been the subject of speculation as his current contract is set to expire at the end of the season. The veteran midfielder signed a one-year extension in March last year. This could be the Barcelona captain's last season with the club and he could be in the sights of Premier League giants Arsenal.
Spanish outlet SPORT (via Metro) reports that Gunners boss Mikel Arteta highly values the 11-cap Spain international. The north Londoners are believed to have already spoken to Barca about the player's situation.
Arteta likes Roberto's versatility as he can play at right-back and in central midfield. If he were to leave his boyhood club his preference would be to join a Premier League club.
Arsenal could look to use Roberto as a replacement for either Thomas Partey or Jorginho. Both midfielders' futures are somewhat uncertain at the Emirates amid a lack of game time this season.