Hate Cesc Fabregas? Think Again!

While fans continue to grumble about Cesc Fabregas leaving Arsenal, there are a group of fans who think that he made the right decision. And while he grinds away at Nou Camp, we turn to our keyboards to fight for or against him.

Of course after last night, everyone is on a high and especially those Arsenal fans who cursed Fabregas for leaving. They say he went to Barcelona to win trophies, but you can’t discount for what he’s achieved. But does this make him a scapegoat for all the Gunners to vent their frustration on?

Yes, Cesc Fabregas did leave Arsenal at a point of time when they needed him the most. He was their Captain; everything Arsene Wenger planned for the team revolved around him. But their No 4 left them before the new season had begun. He was home-sick. He wanted to win trophies. He want to play competitive football. Having said this, no one’s underestimating Arsenal or saying that they don’t play ‘competitive football.’

Though Fabregas did come from Barcelona at the age of 16 in September 2003, he never dreamed of  going back to his homeland. He broke into the first team at a time when the likes of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva were at their prime, and even though he didn’t get a single start in the Arsenal 2003-2004 Invincibles Season, Fabregas was still a part of the team’s cup matches.

He got his first break when Vieria left for Juventus and played alongside Silva in the midfield. Despite his young age, his performances came under great scrutiny due to his increased involvement in the first team. Nevertheless, Fàbregas asserted his own style of play and impressed pundits in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Juventus. In the latter, he scored Arsenal’s first goal and set up Thierry Henry for the second, at the same time proving that he could compete against tough, hard-tackling midfielders like Vieira. He then played in the final against his former club Barcelona, but Arsenal were defeated 2–1, completing a trophyless 2005–06 campaign for Arsenal.

Playing with such finesse, naturally gave credence to the rumors of him leaving Arsenal. Arsene Wenger made it very clear that they would not be parting ways with Cesc and offered him a new five-year deal in October 2006, which he accepted. While the contract was unusually long, Fàbregas cited Arsenal’s playing style and Wenger as reasons for his long-term commitment to the club.

Cesc Fabregas literally pledged his entire career to Arsenal, and in 2011, his romance with the Gunners came to an end. As thousands of ‘Gooners’ from all over the world waited with bated breath, Fabregas signed a £29 million contract with Barcelona. A dream comes to an end – Cesc Fabregas rejoins childhood club. Arsenal were in shambles.

Jersey Number 4 – At Barcelona

Fans started spreading hate messages on social networking sites about Fabregas and Barcelona saying he left Arsenal when they needed him the most, but what they failed to understand was, would anyone want a disgruntled Cesc staying back at Arsenal? It wouldn’t be surprising if he would pull off a Carlos Tevez and refuse to come off the bench one day!

He served the club for eight years, and that’s undebatable. He gave everything he could offer to the club. Arsenal could’ve done with another season of the ‘Cesc’ influence, but what after that? He would’ve left eventually. Pointing fingers at Fabregas’s loyalty is a huge thing and you wouldn’t want to be caught doing that. Players have left Arsenal before, but Arsenal moved on.

Had Cesc Fabregas not left Arsenal, would Wenger have signed ‘panic buy’ Mikel Arteta who has performed exceptionally well this season? Would Yossi Benayoun come on board? Would Robin van Persie be given the same adulation that he receives today?

Cesc Fabregas was an integral part of the Arsenal squad and the start to Arsenal’s current season would’ve probably been different had he stayed. Arsenal might’ve had a chance to compete for the Champions League trophy too. But you may never what the future holds.

What you must know however is that, Cesc has moved on for his own good. He might not have helped our cause, especially this season when the need of a thorough-bred experienced midfielder was more than ever, but then his departure did bring about some positive changes. Cesc departure showed us the ingenuity of Arsene’s decision to go on and buy someone like Arteta who has been the best signing of this season by far. Also, the resurrection of Tomas Rosicky because he got to play more matches. Fabregas’s departure broke the general perception that “we are nothing without Cesc.”

Arsenal proved to everyone that they can win games without him. Holding on to a player who wants to move on would only hurt his sentiments and in the process lead to a  strained relationship between both parties.