English Premier League: Arsenal vs. Manchester City – Arsenal team analysis (Part 4)
Cesc Fabregas
Arsenal’s World Cup winning captain was finally back in the side after being left out for what seemed like ages, due to a hamstring injury. Fabregas made his comeback into the side in the team’s midweek clash in the Champions League, where
he performed brilliantly, however the player was well aware of the fact that his real test was going to come when he took on Manchester City.
Fabregas going into the game looked like he was riding high on confidence, but instead of being smug about it, the player looked to try and channel the confidence into the side, like any good captain should have.
Fabregas from the very first minute of the match looked to be at the class of his own. The player was retaining the ball and toying with the City midfield, who found it close to impossible to win the ball over. The only time they actually
did win the ball of him, was either due to a reckless challenge or a blatant foul. Fabregas nonetheless showed his maturity and instead of biting back at the City players, chose to be the bigger person and outplayed his opposition on the pitch.
Fabregas even played some brilliant through balls in fact it was one of the Spanish midfielders signature through balls that saw the game change in the fifth minute. Fabregas made a surging run through the heart of the City midfield, before
playing a pin point through pass to Marouane Chamakh. The pass was so brilliant that it left the striker open in front of goal and the City defender Boyata had no option but to make a professional foul and get a red card for the challenge.
However Fabregas did manage to go into the referee’s book. The player committed a foul on Nigel De Jong, but in doing so he killed City from performing a counter that could have potentially led to a goal for the home side.
Fabregas was named man of the match for his outstanding performance, but the player being the humble man that he is said that he didn’t deserve such an honour considering that he did manage to miss a penalty in the game.
Some might find it hard to believe but Fabregas did actually commit one mistake in the game. That mistake was when he took the penalty Fabregas has almost always taken his penalties in the top left corner of the goal. The player for some
reason felt the need to take place his latest effort towards the right side of the goal.
Joe Hart noticed a change in the midfielders run up and didn’t think twice before leaping to the right and blocking the shot. Fabregas despite being highly disappointed after the miss still didn’t give up hope and continued to inspire
the team by leading them from the front.
Other good news was that, the player lasted over eighty minutes in the game. This was clear indication to the fact that Arsenal’s captain and quite possibly one of the best midfielders in the world was now back and ready to spur Arsenal’s
title challenge for the season.
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