Is it time for Arsenal to let Fabregas leave?
It is being reported today that Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to secure the signature of Cesc Fabregas. In a similar situation to that which was played out last summer, the Catalan club have clearly stated their desire to bring the Arsenal captain to the Nou Camp, with the player himself appearing equally as eager for the move. Having held onto him for longer than most realistically expected, it might be time for Arsenal to let Fabregas get his way.
Fabregas is undoubtedly Arsenal’s most influential player and he demonstrated on numerous occasions this season the impact his presence and attacking threat can bring. Take for example the Gunners’ home match against Aston Villa back in December. With 57 minutes gone and the game at 0-0, he was introduced as a substitute, still recovering from the effects of a hamstring injury. When the full-time whistle was blown, Arsenal had run out 3-0 winners and Fabregas was on the score sheet. Twice.
So why would Arsene Wenger even consider letting him leave? Firstly, the Arsenal manager is likely to respect the fact that Fabregas has given the club several years of fine service in a period which has seen him pick up a solitary FA Cup winners medal. Wenger knows more than most that the club’s failure to seriously compete for major honours is hindering his capacity to hold onto a player of such talent and ambition.
Looking at the issue from a more pragmatic standpoint, Arsenal could be in line to make a very significant profit from selling Fabregas back to the club from which they signed him. Wenger deserves immense credit for nurturing a player whose potential had clearly not been appreciated at the Nou Camp, and turning him into a world class midfielder. This oversight by Barca may well cost them something close to £40 million if rumours are to be believed.
This would prove a very useful sum of money for Wenger to reinvest in a squad with weaknesses which he has himself recognised. Their defensive frailties were all too obvious as their title challenge spluttered, and a new goalkeeper and central defensive partner for Thomas Vermaelen are a must for Wenger, with William Gallas also seemingly wanting out. Could Fabregas’s sale provide the capital required for these signings?
The possibility of Yaya Toure moving to the Emirates as part of the deal has also been mooted, something which should be welcomed given the club’s need to recruit in the defensive midfield position which has never properly been filled since it was vacated by Patrick Vieira. Alex Song continues to show promise but has been found wanting in some key fixtures, a problem Wenger can no longer continue to overlook.
Furthermore, the cash from Fabregas’s sale is also likely to stretch to the purchase of a replacement attacking midfielder. Another former Barcelona trainee has been heavily tipped as a target for Wenger and would be a perfect fit for Arsenal’s fluid style of play: Mikel Arteta. His playing style is similar to that of his fellow countryman’s and he also contributes important goals. How willing Everton would be to do business is another matter however.
Arsenal are starting to look overly reliant on Fabregas and, as Manchester United showed this season in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, that is not a good thing. Fabregas has stated he wants his future resolved before the World Cup which would be in the interests of all parties involved. Arsenal should grant him his wish in order to move on and regroup in time for next season.
