Cesc Fabregas – the fabulous conductor of Arsenal’s orchestra
At a young age of 23, Francesc Fabregas has achieved what most footballers could not achieve in a life time. He has won all that there was to win at the international level. Spain won the EURO Cup in 2008, breaking the jinx that had left La Furia Roja trophy
less for decades. Fabregas might not have been in the starting eleven for the Spanish squad, but his substitute appearances were of critical importance.
Indeed he got a hatful of assists to his name. Fast forward two years and Fabregas made the most important assist of his life. He may never create a more important goal than the one he made for Andres Iniesta in the World Cup final of 2010. Spain won the
holy grail of all the trophies - the World Cup - thus becoming only the first European nation to win it outside their continent.
Born and bred in Catalunya, Fabregas always dreamt of playing for his childhood club, FC Barcelona. His talent didn’t go unnoticed as the playmaker joined the youth ranks of the club in 1997. He grew up playing alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres
Iniesta in the Barcelona B team. Fabregas idolized the current Barcelona coach, Joseph Guardiola, since his childhood. So much so that he was given the number 4 shirt as consolation when his parents’ divorced - the same number that Pep used to wear.
Barcelona always had a world class midfield. With the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta ahead of him in the picking order, Fabregas was worried about this future at the club. It came as no surprise that he left on a free transfer when the fatherly figure
of Arsene Wenger came calling. His boundless potential was never in doubt. Just like so many other talented youngsters, the critical question was whether he will fulfil it or not. All such questions were left to rest when a young Fabregas schooled his former
Mentor, Patrick Vieira, in a champions league tie at Turin. The performance against Juventus was his coming of age. He never looked back since that time.
Fabregas has been rattling in goals and pocketing assists over the last few seasons. Frighteningly, he is still getting better. For the Gunners, Ashley Cole criticized the Spaniard and labelled him “an unproven featherweight” in his autobiography. After
looking at his performances two years later, Cole might have to eat his own words. Preferring technique over physicality, Fabregas has become the best midfielder in the Premier League with his astounding vision, leadership and brilliant range of passing.
The importance of Fabregas to Arsenal’s cause cannot be over emphasized. During last season, Fabregas scored fifteen goals and directly assisted in fifteen others, all this in just 27 appearances. In essence, Fabregas made a telling impact in all the matches
he played in. He has scored this season in breathtaking fashion like we have learned to expect from him. He has already assisted in two goals in the ongoing premier league. On Wednesday, he was in his inspiring best as he scored twice and made a hat trick
of assists. Arsenal scored a six last night and Fabregas has a hand in five of them. What will happen to this Arsenal squad without the inspirational skipper at the lead is beyond explanation.
Fabregas frequently voices his love for the London based club and he shows that on the pitch with his stunning performances. Sadly for Arsenal fans, his love for Barcelona supersedes that for his current employers. He calls the Catalan club his home. Wenger
dug his heels deep this summer and refused to let go of his crown jewel but for how long? Fabregas will leave next summer for sure. If he doesn’t, it will be a frosty relationship and will tarnish all the memories that the Gunners have for him. The hole that
will be created by his departure will be huge, monstrous and almost impossible to fill. While Wenger drinks his well earned glass of champagne after his side’s superb victory, the question will be giving him sleepless nights over the course of the season.
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