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| Fabregas opens the scoring for Arsenal from the penalty spot. |
Will he or wont he go to the Nou Camp was the question of the summer but to Arsenal's credit the club held firm. Fabregas is back to his best now after the World Cup, weaving his magic and orchestrating a side showing signs of being the real deal this year.
Retaining the Spanish World Cup winner could prove to be Arsene Wenger's shrewdest piece of business since he joined the club back in 1997.
Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign on Wednesday night with a comfortable 6-0 win over Braga of Portugal and the Gunners skipper put in an impressive 2-goal performance. Along with his brace he was at the heart of all Arsenal's attacking brilliance.
The ball moved around the Emirates turf like a ball in a pinball machine and the Gunners moved around the pitch with consummate ease, and that was largely down to the hugely influential Fabregas.
It is no secret the 23-year-old wanted to leave London this summer and head for the sunny shores of Catalonia but on this form Arsenal fans will soon forgive and forget his urges towards his spiritual home.
Barcelona tried their hardest to prise away the Gunner's star asset but Wenger and the Arsenal board were not going to be held to ransom. Fabregas still has five years to run on his contract and with his best years ahead of him £33.5 million pounds was nowhere near the club's valuation.
Wenger's decision could prove vital as his side look to break a five year duck without a trophy.
The midfield maestro has been in superb form since missing the first few games of the season after returning late from Spain's successful World Cup campaign.
Since he last graced the Emirates turf back in March in the 2-2 draw with Barcelona he looks to have added an extra dimension to his game. The way Fabregas is gliding past players and beating players one on one is a new component to complete a game which is fast becoming one of the most all round in Europe.
It is something that not lost on Arsene Wenger.
"Cesc has taken on another dimension this season. I have never doubted his heart is with Arsenal. Other people might have done but I know he loves this club."
If this is the case Arsenal will have a good season.
Fabregas is Arsenal's talisman. The Arsenal players look to the midfielder for inspiration in the same way Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry were the stars before him. His distribution is second to none, he has added a goal scoring dimension to his game and add the ability to glide past opposition defenders and you have a complete player.
Granted, the Gunner's skipper had the time and space against Braga to do what he liked (he might not be afforded the same luxury against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this weekend) but it his ability to use the space and pick out the killer ball which sets him apart from his rivals.
A glowing example of this came in Arsenal's sixth goal.
Jack Wilshere played a delightful ball over the top of the hapless Portuguese side's defence for Fabregas. With the goal and a hat-trick at his mercy Fabregas picked out the better placed Carlos Vela, who finished well to give Arsenal a 6-0 victory.
This was topped of by Fabregas's post match interview where he looked very disgruntled. The midfielder, who has been at Arsenal since he was 16, was disappointed he did not secure his first senior hat-trick.
This shows a man not resting on his laurels and striving for perfection which bodes well for Arsene Wenger's side.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's decision to keep hold of their prized asset is also good news for Fabio Capello and one of England's stars of the future, Jack Wilshere played alongside Fabregas last night and their is no better place for the Englishmen to learn his trade.
The 18-year-old produced another mature performance showing us a glimpse of the futures of England and Arsenal. He controlled the game alongside Fabregas and rarely misplaced a pass. The highlight was a deft back heel into the path of Marouane Chamakh for Arsenal's third goal of the night.
So the signs look good for Arsenal, They seem to be coping better with the physical demands of the Premier League after wins away at Blackburn and at home to Bolton, but sterner tests lie ahead starting on Saturday evening.
Many critics still doubt whether Arsenal have the bite and strength to mount a serious trophy challenge but with Cesc Fabregas pulling the string anything is possible.
The time will come one day when Fabregas does pack his bags and take his rightful place in the Barcelona midfield but at the moment we should all be thankful of Arsenal's decision to stand firm. Arsenal held all the cards in the summer and they played them in the right way and it is the football fans in England who will benefit.
When the time comes Cesc will have the blessing of everyone involved with Arsenal football club to return home but on this form it will cost a huge amount of money. Fabregas is as important to Arsenal as Cristiano Ronaldo was to Manchester United. Barca, if you want him come and get him next summer but it is going to cost you.
On the other hand Arsenal may suprise everyone becoming a dominant force in European football and he might not want to go.
Hopefully he will be able to leave in a few seasons with a European cup and a Premier League title in his back pocket and Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey ready to fill the void left by the Spaniard.
In the meantime sit back, relax and watch the genius of Francesc Fabregas.
Image from arsenal.com
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