Having become the club captain at just 21-years-old in 2008, his performances never dropped in spite of huge expectations. Leading a team as big as Arsenal is challenging in itself, but to lead a team of players with an average age of around 23 is not an easy task. With Arsenal’s continuing trophy drought, as skipper, Fabregas has come under fire, but his commitment to the club should never be questioned. He scored Arsenal’s equalizing penalty at the Emirates against Barcelona in 2009 with a broken foot! You can’t ask for much more.
However, His reputation among Arsenal fans has taken a beating since the 2010 World Cup. Having been part of a successful World Cup team, it is understandable that he wanted more, and ever since Barcelona decided that he was the future successor of Xavi, and that they were after him, the desire to return to his boyhood club has captivated his mind. Yet, despite a sour transfer saga, Fabregas has still given his all for the Gunners, though he fell below the high standards that he himself had set. Still, 9 goals and 17 assists last season from his midfield position is a wonderful return in 35 games. A persistent hamstring problem also played its part in last season’s disappointment for the player.
Over the years, Fabregas has played an important role in almost every Arsenal victory, and has given so much joy to the fans with his beautiful goals and defence-splitting passes.
In 303 appearances, Cesc Fabregas has scored 57 goals for the North London club – this in addition to his innumerable assists makes him Arsenal’s most successful player over the past five years.
Cesc Fabregas’s imminent departure may be the start of a new era in Arsenal’s history with new players and a new style of play. However, there is no questioning that the club will be losing one of the most technically gifted players they have ever had.
He’s the most gifted foreigner to don the Arsenal shirt since the great Dennis Bergkamp. However, fans will probably realize his contribution once our barren spell ends. He was our talisman during the most difficult five years in Arsenal’s recent history. His commitment to lead a group of youngsters to challenge for titles deserves a lot of credit. Arsenal survived the financial turmoil without losing their pride and stature, and this is something that Fabregas should be proud of.
He might never be remembered on par with Henry, Vieira and others, but Fabregas has created a legacy for himself at Arsenal.
His contribution to Arsenal’s survival has never been truly appreciated, but he has become a club legend in his own right.
Written by Vivek Arulnathan for Gunnersphere.com. Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/gunnerviv
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Staying or going… no where near legendary status.
1. hasn’t captained the club to trophies
2. Won’t be spending his best days at this club…
3. isn’t much of a character in my eyes… not somebody like an Adams, Vieira or Henry who bled the Arsenal
There is a vast difference between a “great player” and a “legend”. There is no doubt that he’s a “great player” but a player who has only been a major contributor for six seasons, and has been all but begging to leave for the past two does not even come close to being a “legend”.
Legend????? Must admit didn;t even bother reading the article. Fabregas is a disloyal/greedy little shit and he can f**k off. Signs a 5year deal and then just about from its inception tries (with the help of his homo mates Pique/Xavi etc etc) to blackmail Arsenal into selling him for peanuts.
Legend – NEVER!
Erm, No……A legend would be someone who helped win the club trophies and not publically declare his desire to play elsewhere.
Cesc Fabregas is not and likely never will be, An Arsenal legend.
I would point to his leadership or lack of and say No. Fabregas had the benefit of growing up with legends around him. It seems as if nothing has rubbed off in terms of his leadership or ability to inspire the team or he has just forgotten what its about. Like Jack says a great player but no legend in my eyes.
The club that made u who u are and later pay them by leaving, u do not deserve a legendary status never in the club
I can say he’s 1 of the greatest player 2 ever don the arsenal jersey!!
az much az I would like him 2 stay, I wouldn’t judge him 4 going,, why cant we argue that his team-mates let him down,,, Fabregas might nt be a vocal leader bt he led by example- we had the perfect attack bt the poorest defending(saying defence will be alil harsh coz defending starts where the ball is lost bt if there are playerz who dnt wanna track back or running in slow motion then conceding is very easy)
Cesc wants trophies and barcelona can guarantee him!!
Maybe him going will make Wenger 2 rethink somethingz, it might be a blessing indisguise,, 2 bad that when we finally have significant fundz 2 spend that’s when he’s leaving!! I hoped it waz a matter of just chopping off the deadwood and replacing with quality(quality doesnt mean expensive)
love Fab4-eva hate barca!!