The last time a big player left the club as I long as I can recall were Marc Overmars and Theirry Henry. Ironically, they both went to Barcelona. It has been a long battle for years to keep Fabregas at the club and one day we knew we would have to give in eventually. It happened this year but it didn't come to our surprise.
Cesc was handed the longest ever contract ever awarded to any Arsenal player (8 years), simply because he was one the best the club had ever seen. His vision and remarkable passing is world class and as good as you can get these days. Even his goal scoring record is admirable. I've used many words describing Cesc over the years on how good and important he really is and he deserves every one of it.
When Patrick Vieira left in 2005, he left a large void. He was the physical presence, the leader and the steel of the midfield. We never really replaced the hard man in midfield ( I have to note Alex Song has emerged recently). Arsene Wenger took the gamble and played Cesc straight away, not as a 'natural' replacement but as a replacement. Cesc played more games at his age compared to any top footballer, got to work with some of the biggest players and his invaluable experience he carries with him today is largely due to the Arsene's tremendous belief. At the age of 24, he has played 303 professional games for the club and that's more an average of 40 games a season since the age of 17! Him being the club's youngest captain also shows how far he has come.
Maestro, talisman, captain and heartbeat are just some of the words Cesc has earned over the years. Every Arsenal fan will be gutted to lose Cesc at this age although we were prepared to lose him eventually. We did make a big compromise on the price tag and we have always lost on that aspect because we respect players wishes to leave. He is easily worth 10 million pounds more. Although Cesc winning the Champion's League may be against our interest, hopefully he will achieve the success he deserves. But of course we would have liked his success to be from North London.
It is a great loss to the club, no doubt about it. Arsene might not look unhappy in front the media but he will be extremely disappointed inside that one of his biggest unearthed talents is leaving. Despite this, no one individual is bigger at the club and the show has to go on. The club has always faced big name departures and Cesc will go down as another. The club has been on a trophy drought but our belief is stronger than ever and that will carry us through. We respect Cesc's decision but we got to respect ourselves and continue fighting for the club.
Thank you for your outstanding contribution Cesc, you will be missed.
~deyao~
