My last post was on this site last year in may. Back then, I spurned on from an Evening Standard article proclaimingg the departure of Cesc Fabregas. Now, a year on, that has finally culminated. The most protracted, drawn out saga of Premier League history has come to an end.
And so, we all woke up, Gooners and non-Goons alike, with pictures of our skipper kissing the badge – the Barca badge – relentlessly. Needless to say, our ex-skipper has come for much abuse and stick. BUT, we must remember, what a player he was. Eight years of skillful, magical touches, sprinkling magic to the barren years.
His career started in the pouring rain of a windswept night in October 2003. Rotherham were the very first opponents, Barcelona one of the very last. How eqlouently intimate, in that small Highbury pitch. A toe poke vs Wolves in the next round of the Carling Cup ensured a place in Arsenal history, whatever the outcome of his career. But it would soon be apparent that this fresh faced Spaniard was something else. Reports of his reserves outings were reaching Arsene Wenger, at a time when the Invincibles were digging up the Premier League turf with aplomp.
Cesc was introduced into that same legendary team in the start of the 2004/5 season. And WHO would forget that mullet (see link below). Probably one of the few signature failures of a fashion crime!
But Cesc volleyed his way through the Champions League, danced around Liverpools defenders. His introduction in the first team proper would be another date with history – knee-poking in a Gilberto header to provide the second goal vs Blackburn. That game was the tipping point, the game when Arsenal etched their name into football folklore.
Beyond the unbeaten run, Cesc picked up an FA Cup winners medal, hoisted Paddy Vieira and overshadowed him the next season vs Juve. The smash and grab goals vs Milan. And those assists. They won’t be remembered – the one for Thierry Henry at the Bernabeu. One for Adebayor vs Spurs at home (on of many). The assist to Nasri who who eventually assists Arshavin in that lung busting goal vs Barca last year.
All these moments. Now gone. Now memory.
Lets end the mourning now. We must unite, despite the media trying to split us. We must carry on. For players come and go, but fans remain forever.
N.B Look for the link that charts Cesc in pictures; games, goals and mullet! 9 http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/big-picture/2011-08-15/photo-tribute-cesc-fabregas-arsenal-career-photos-games-goals-and-mullet
