Editorial

Arsenal Comment: Is It Just A Run Of Form Or Is Cesc Fabregas Becoming The Best Midfielder In The World?

Armband and tactical switch unleash wild side in mild-mannered maestro

Nov 2, 2009 3:10:12 PM

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Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal (Getty Images)

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Cesc Fàbregas

Since the English and Spanish top flights began pulling away from Italy to almost establish themselves in the eyes of many as 'the big two', the number of La Liga talents finding their way to the Premier League has shot up considerably.

Likewise, the best of the Prem - though often not English - have found themselves floating off to Spain; not least this summer, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso heading the way.

But it's the Spanish contingent in England who really attract all the attention. They are among the country's most skilful and universally admired superstars. Fernando Torres heads the list; Mikel Arteta is regarded as universally underrated, some even believe Pepe Reina should keep goal for Spain ahead of Iker Casillas.

First among this new wave was Cesc Fabregas, fresh from Barcelona's youth academy in 2003. Heralded as an incredible prospect, the playmaker came good season by season, while not such an important figure in the Invincibles squad of his first season, he showed tremendous promise in the FA Cup claiming season of 2004-05 and was pivotal in Arsenal's Champions League near-miss in 2006.

Cesc vs Zizou | CL 2006

And on that Wednesday, May 17, in Paris, Fabregas had only just turned 19 years of age.

The mature and full-fledged nature of his playing style bordered on the surreal, but was in fact a typical trait of many midfielders from Barcelona's cantera. That's how they're trained.

And when Arsenal's subsequent trophy drought began, Cesc's constant climb up the ladder of the world's best midfielders came to something of a standstill. He got through so much of his technical development at a young age that, during his early 20s in which the world was expecting him to kick-on, that time didn't come. Though the honour of the captain's armband, at just 21 years of age, improved the midfielder's conduct and sense of responsibility, with the ball at his feet, he was still the same player. It's as if he was already the finished article.

As such, despite Barcelona's bitterness at having their player poached by the Premier League, it wasn't seen as too much of a loss. With Xavi at the helm and Iniesta an emerging force, they conquered all of Europe in 2006 and again in 2009. Spain reached similar heights at Euro 2008, again with Xavi at the centre of it all and Cesc reduced to being a substitute - albeit a highly effective one.

Fans of Fabregas initially opposed to the supposed neglect or prejudice suffered by Cesc, as La Liga talents pipped him into the European champions' starting XI in the build-up to, during and even since Euro 2008. More recently, the opposition has relented, in acknowledgement of the formidable stature of the team, even without Cesc in the starting line-up.

Perfect 10 | Spain role unearthed Cesc's hidden talent

But every new season brings a new surprise. The more faithful and/or astute of us would call it fate, or inevitability. This season, it has been Cesc Fabregas.

Perhaps having had the armband from week one has made him feel more like the leader of the team, as opposed to something of a fan-favourite, token appointment in the midst of a crisis.

More significant, it would seem, is the 4-3-3 variant that has Cesc supported by not just the discipline of the more static Alexandre Song, but also the box-to-box running of Abou Diaby. He is now the focal point of many of Arsenal's attacks through the middle, more comparable to Kaka early on during his Milan days and Steven Gerrard in the current Liverpool setup than Paul Scholes or Xavi in the treble-winning sides of Manchester United and Barcelona.

The redefinition of his role has seen a once goal-shy Cesc now regularly run beyond the forwards with remarkable results.

Captain Catalan | Fabregas

Goalscoring adds an obvious gloss onto what is still a markedly more majestic midfielder within Arsenal's new-look Gunners. When playing for Spain, too, Fabregas was played as a second striker of sorts, donning the No.10, but not even while seeing his team through to the Euro 2008 final did he ever look as assured and domineering as he does now.

It's too soon to tell exactly what the future may hold, but to compare Cesc to his contemporaries is enough to make anyone think. Kaka isn't yet in his groove at Madrid; Frank Lampard is much closer to finding his at Chelsea, but not quite at top speed; even before his injury, Steven Gerrard was not looking quite as relentless without Xabi Alonso's supply; Andrea Pirlo, screamers at the Bernabeu aside, isn't consistently at the level he was; Xavi and Iniesta remain a class apart from most of the competition with very little effort involved, but aren't lighting up the arena from week to week. Cesc is on his own in that department.

In possession, he has the aura of an untouchable, and what must be most promising for Arsenal fans is that he has never been a player for purple patches. Once he reaches a level, he usually stays there. The competition has some catching up to do.

As Cesc's hero, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola seems to have had some kind of Catalan intuition that told him something special was coming from Fabregas this season that the rest of us didn't know about.

Barcelona made a late but incredibly concerted push to bring home their golden boy this summer, but Cesc refused their advances, telling Goal.com UK exclusively at the end of the transfer window that he currently feels more relaxed in London than he does when he visits Barcelona.

However, even Arsenal fans acknowledge that at some point, whether it's because he achieves all he can achieve, or, in complete contrast, must leave to achieve, that Fabregas will find his way home. I guess it could be said that, just this once, Gooners will hope Fabregas follows more in the steps of Cristiano Ronaldo than Thierry Henry.

Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com UK

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