There’s been a lot of mumble about Cesc Fabregas recently. He uncharacteristically spoke out regarding his unhappiness as a bit-part player at Barcelona, leading to a lot of talk about whether he might make a return to Arsenal ( he has said the only club he’d leave Barca for is Arsenal).
There have been those who are desperate for his return, still harbouring love for him, those who despise the man and don’t want him anywhere near Arsenal, and those who are somewhere in-between the two.
Are all sins forgiven?
We’ll run through exactly how Cesc Fabregas came to leave Arsenal for Barcelona. After being tapped up by Barcelona players like Andres Iniesta and Xavi at the World Cup, as well as having Pepe Reina of Liverpool force a Barca shirt over his head, he asked Arsene Wenger if he could move to Barca.
Barca backed this up with a large bid, that was rejected by Arsenal. He was then convinced to stay for at least another year, then signing a huge contract extension for five years, and stating his long term future was at Arsenal.
He had another excellent season, marred by a few things. There was the backheel against Barcelona in the Champions League that was so poorly placed it almost seemed like an assist for them. Then there was his insistence on playing despite being injured, followed by his complaints that he was “stagnant from playing all the time” at Arsenal. Because you know, starting every game isn’t something world class players do, is it?
He then started pressing for a move to Barcelona, refusing to go on Arsenal’s Asia tour, feigning injury and going on strike to force the move. Eventually he paid off part of his Arsenal contract himself to force Arsenal to accept a lower bid from Barcelona, and got his wish. He enjoyed a great first season at Barcelona, but things seem to have turned a bit pear-shaped for him.
From one extreme to the other
Despite his achievements, Fabregas has only played the full 90 of 9 out of 41 league games at Barcelona. He’s out of form at the moment, and is clearly frustrated on the pitch. From playing too much, he’s now upset that he’s so often on the bench (even though he’s joined now by Alex Song). In reality it all seems bit ungrateful and whinging.
Arsene Wenger may not mind.
It’s well known that Arsene loves Cesc. Not surprising really. There’s a strong case for him being the best player to ever play for Arsenal. This is a man that broke into the Invincibles aged 17, and forced them to change their style just to fit his incredible talents. He was the focal point of Arsenal’s “Project Youth” side. It’s no suprise that when he was sold, Wenger demanded a 30m first option to buy clause if Barcelona ever chose to sell him, which in all honesty is unlikely.
“I came here to see out my career, but if the boss wants me to go, I’ll go. I won’t make it easy for him though”. A mixture of commitment and non-commitment there, but I think Cesc will get over his issues.
Do we need him?
This may sound silly, but it’s a serious point. Arsenal were reliant on Cesc when he was there. They were. It’s no surprise that goals and assists have been far more evenly spread out now he’s gone. With the addition of Santi Cazorla, Arsenal have more creativity, but within a team basis. Santi won’t be the star player like Cesc, but an important cog. Arsenal are building a team, not a collection of people to go with a star. A player of Fabregas’s calibre makes it so that everything goes through him, and teams are reliant on him. He would take Arsenal backwards, quite possibly.
Of course, Santi could move to the wings and Fabregas could form a super-possession pivot with Arteta and Wilshere, but even then he’d be the main man again. And Arsenal don’t need that anymore. They’re a team now.
Maybe he will come back. Maybe he’ll apologise for his behaviour, and be forgiven. But don’t assume that because an Arsenal star has come back to the team, the team will be better.
Poll Results
Latest:
Comments
I don't care what team needs or doesn't need him, that's a deal. I still remember his Tottenham goal... oh man
That said, should he return, he must fight for his place and it'll be a fresh start for him. Like many institutions, a break in service for more than 3 months is not counted as continuing service :)
What goes around, comes around.
BUT ME I DON'T HAVE anything thn
M A GUNNER 4 life WItH OR WITHOUT trofy!!!!! GUNNER MAKE me HAPPY
BUT ME I DON'T HAVE anything thn
M A GUNNER 4 life WItH OR WITHOUT trofy!!!!! GUNNER MAKE me HAPPY
I agree with some fans we would love him to come back
He is not having the best of Times at barca and would be great addition to the squad
He is not getting game time but surely he knew this when he left
We r building a new team & with wilshire,ramsey,gnar by,walcott if he stays,eisfield,our future looks good & am sure AW will add some fire into our defence & attack. Future looks good even without Cesc & present team is & will do good.
ourself we don't need him.
1Wojciech Szczesny
2 Sagna 4 koscielny 5 Vermaelen 3 Gibbs
7Podolsk. 6Diaby 8 Wilshere. 11 Cazorla
10 Fabregas
9 Giroud
On The bench will be Mannone Jenkinson. Mertesacker Arteta. Coquelin Chamberlain Gervinho and Walcott
This will be the best dream team
He will be 26 by next may..Isco would be a better choice.. Santis teammate..He is just 20 years old..
Cesc hv a 48.5 in trnsfrmarkt whereas Isco is 10.5.. So Isco would be a better addition..And if Cesc is available for a very cheap trnsfr amnt and if te board decides to brings him back..i will love to see him back as a gunner..
when did he win the Champions League??
btw he was the World and European Champion when he was with us too...
Fair play to them, as well as Arteta but not even Santi Cazorla is up to the Fabregas standard.
Fabregas coming back would mean a lot of positive things for Arsenal. Not just on the pitch but in the dressing room, the media, and in the Football world.
Lastly, we are not getting back the old Francesc Fabregas we new. No.
We're getting the UEFA Champions League Winner, World and European Champion, and an undesputable worldclass player.
If 30 Million is the price of that, Mr. Hill-Wood better take his checkbook out as soon as the opportunity arises.
Now, before you throw your dislikes, thumbs down or whatever at this, at least think about it for a while.
I'm sad. To hell with him. We warned him but did not heed to our warnings. Refused to learn from Hleb and the likes of Flamini. We don't need him. We re better without him.