Francesc Fabregas

Francesc "Cesc" Fàbregas i Soler (born 4 May 1987) is a Spain midfielder who captains the English Premier League club Arsenal F.C. and plays for the Spain national football team. Fàbregas started Francesc Fabregas career as a trainee with FC Barcelona but was signed by Arsenal in September 2003, aged just 16 years. Francesc Fabregas did not feature much in Francesc Fabregas first season for The Gunners, but following injuries to key midfielders in the 2004-05 in English football, Francesc Fabregas playing time increased. Before long, Francesc Fabregas had established himself as Arsenal's starting central midfielder and playmaker. Francesc Fabregas went on to break several of the club's records, earning a reputation as a technically gifted player. In international football, the Spaniard's national career began when Francesc Fabregas represented the winning Under-17 side at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Finland. As a result of Francesc Fabregas club performances, Francesc Fabregas was called up to the senior squad in 2006. Francesc Fabregas has played in the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, where Francesc Fabregas helped Spain to become eventual winners.

Club career

Early years

Fàbregas was born in Arenys de Mar, Barcelona (province) to Francesc Fàbregas, Sr., who runs a property company, and Núria Soler, the owner of a pastry company. Fàbregas has supported FC Barcelona since childhood and went to Francesc Fabregas first match when Francesc Fabregas was nine months old with Francesc Fabregas grandfather. It was at Barcelona where Fàbregas began Francesc Fabregas club football career. Initially, Francesc Fabregas was played as a Midfielder Defensive midfielder (defensive midfielder), yet Francesc Fabregas was also a prolific scorer, sometimes scoring more than 30 goals in a season for the club's youth teams. However, Francesc Fabregas did not manage to play a first-team game at the Camp Nou.

Sensing that Francesc Fabregas would have limited opportunities at Barcelona, Francesc Fabregas joined Arsenal, signing for the London club in September 2003. As a 16-year-old, Fàbregas did not contemplate breaking into the first team immediately but looked up to senior players like Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva, while concentrating on training and learning the English language. Francesc Fabregas then became the youngest goalscorer in Arsenal's history in a later round of the League Cup, scoring in a 5–1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.. Although Arsenal went on to The Invincibles (football) in the 2003-04 in English football, Fàbregas was not awarded a winner's medal because Francesc Fabregas did not play a single league game.

It was not until the start of the 2004-05 in English football that the Spaniard started making first-team appearances in matches outside the League Cup. Francesc Fabregas first match of the season was against Manchester United F.C. in the FA Community Shield. Following an injury to Vieira, Fàbregas stepped in and made four consecutive Premier League starts. Francesc Fabregas was praised for Francesc Fabregas performances in those games, even claiming a goal against Blackburn Rovers in a 3–0 victory, and becoming Arsenal's youngest ever goalscorer in a league game. With further injuries to Eduardo César Gaspar and Gilberto Silva, Francesc Fabregas received more playing time in all competitions. Francesc Fabregas concluded Francesc Fabregas season by winning Francesc Fabregas first honours with Arsenal when Francesc Fabregas was in the starting eleven that defeated Manchester United on penalty kick in the 2005 FA Cup Final.

Making the starting eleven

After the departure of Vieira to Juventus F.C., Fàbregas was given the Frenchman's number 4 shirt and featured regularly in the Arsenal central midfield alongside Gilberto Silva. Francesc Fabregas made 49 appearances in all competitions during the 2005-06 in English football. Nevertheless, Fàbregas asserted Francesc Fabregas own style of play and impressed pundits in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Juventus. In the latter, Francesc Fabregas scored Arsenal's first goal and set up Thierry Henry for the second, completing a trophyless 2005–06 campaign for Arsenal.

Fàbregas' increase in exposure drew transfer speculation during the summer; Real Madrid expressed a desire to sign the Spaniard despite Francesc Fabregas long-term contract with Arsenal, but Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger stated that Arsenal would not listen to any offers. In September 2006, with six years left on Francesc Fabregas deal, Arsenal offered a new five-year deal (with an option to extend by a further three years, making eight years) to the midfielder, which Francesc Fabregas signed on 19 October 2006. While the contract was unusually long, Fàbregas cited Arsenal's playing style and Wenger as reasons for Francesc Fabregas long-term commitment to the club.

The 2006-07 in English football was a learning experience for the young Arsenal squad and Fàbregas. The club again failed to secure any major honours and were defeated by city rivals Chelsea F.C. in the Football League Cup Final 2007. However, Fàbregas emerged as one of the key creative players for the team, playing in every single league game. Francesc Fabregas kickstarted Arsenal's UEFA Champions League 2006-07 campaign when Francesc Fabregas scored a brace in a 3–0 win over Dinamo Zagreb in a qualifier match. In the Premier League, Francesc Fabregas notched up 13 assist (soccer), which was the second-highest total in the league. Francesc Fabregas was also named in the 2006 UEFA Team of the Year, and named FA Premier League Player of the Month for January 2007. Additionally, Francesc Fabregas was nominated for both PFA Players' Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year, although both awards went to Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. In June 2007, Francesc Fabregas was named Arsenal's Player of the Season, taking in 60% of the votes.

The 2007-08 in English football began with much uncertainty for Arsenal. First, David Dein, the club's vice-chairman, left amidst allegations of internal strife, followed by the departure of the club's all-time top goalscorer and captain, Thierry Henry, who signed for Barcelona. There was also speculation over Wenger's future with the club. Fàbregas knew that Francesc Fabregas would become the most important player for Arsenal, but stated Francesc Fabregas was ready for the challenge. Francesc Fabregas started the season well, chalking up goals and assists, Francesc Fabregas start to the season also earned Francesc Fabregas the O2 Player of the Month award from Arsenal fans for August, September and October, as well as the Premier League Player of the Month for September. With Arsenal leading the league table until March, Fàbregas was equally instrumental in the club's UEFA Champions League 2007-08; in the return leg against AC Milan, the midfielder scored late in the game to send Arsenal into the quarter-finals. Though Arsenal ended the season trophyless, Fàbregas amassed several personal awards. On 11 April 2008, Fàbregas was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year and PFA Young Player of the Year awards for the second year running; Francesc Fabregas was later crowned the winner of the latter, and named in the PFA Team of the Year. Francesc Fabregas was also named the 2007–08 Arsenal.com Player of the Season.

Captaincy

On 24 November 2008, 14 league games into the 2008-09 in English football, Fàbregas was named as the successor to William Gallas as club captain. However, just as Arsenal were getting back into the title race after a poor start to the season, the Spaniard was ruled out for four months after sustaining a knee injury against Liverpool. The Gunners eventually finished the season without any silverware, coming in fourth in the league and being knocked out at the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League 2008–09.

International career

Youth team

Although Francesc Fabregas features regularly for the Spain national football team, Fàbregas' international career began at youth level. At the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship held in Finland, Francesc Fabregas finished as top scorer of the tournament despite playing in midfield, and was voted Player of the Tournament. Fàbregas was next involved in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, where Spain also finished runners-up. Fàbregas was named the Golden Player of the tournament. In that game, Fàbregas became the youngest player cap (sport) for Spain in 70 years.

2006 World Cup

On 15 May 2006, Fàbregas was selected for the Spanish 2006 FIFA World Cup squad. During the tournament, Francesc Fabregas came on as a second-half substitute in Spain's first two group matches, contributing an assist to striker Fernando Torres in their 3–1 victory against Tunisia national football team. Francesc Fabregas then started alongside Spain's reserve players (including then-Arsenal teammate José Antonio Reyes) in Spain's third group match against Saudi Arabia national football team. Francesc Fabregas earned a starting role in Spain's first knockout-stage match against France national football team, in place of Marcos Senna, but Spain lost 3–1. Fàbregas also became the youngest player in Spanish football history to participate in a FIFA World Cup when Francesc Fabregas came on as a substitute for Luis Javier García Sanz after 77 minutes in the 4–0 victory against Ukraine national football team on 13 June 2006; Francesc Fabregas was then 19 years and 41 days old. Francesc Fabregas was later nominated for the FIFA World Cup awards Best Young Player Award of the World Cup, but Germany national football team's Lukas Podolski won the award.

Euro 2008

In UEFA Euro 2008, Fàbregas was issued with squad number 10, rather than 18 which Francesc Fabregas had previously held. Despite featuring mostly as a substitute, the midfielder made a considerable impact in Spain's campaign. Francesc Fabregas scored Francesc Fabregas first international goal in that competition in Spain's 4–1 win over Russia national football team and also had an assist in that game. Spain won all three of their group games and met Italy national football team in the quarter-finals. In that match, Fàbregas scored the winning penalty in the penalty shoot-out after the teams remained deadlocked 0–0 after extra time. In the semi-finals, Spain defeated Russia 3–0 with Fàbregas providing two assists. For Francesc Fabregas efforts, Fàbregas was named in the Team of the Tournament, a 23-man squad selected by the UEFA Technical Team. In the semi-finals against the United States national football team (which Fàbregas started), Spain suffered a shock 2–0 loss, and its 15-game winning streak came to an end.

International goals

Style of play

Originally brought to Arsenal as a youth to slowly develop via the League Cup, Fàbregas was unexpectedly deployed as Arsenal's starting central midfielder following injuries to fellow midfielders Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva and Edu during the 2004–05 season. Fàbregas functions mostly as a playmaker and Francesc Fabregas main asset is Francesc Fabregas passing range. As one of the most coveted young talents in the game today, Francesc Fabregas has been described as being a vital part of Arsenal's first team, bringing vision, creativity and selflessness to Arsenal's intricate passing game, and displaying maturity that belies Francesc Fabregas age. In Set piece (football)s, Francesc Fabregas is one of the first-choice corner kick and free kick takers in the team.

Fàbregas has stated in interviews that while Vieira served as Francesc Fabregas role model and mentor, Francesc Fabregas styles Francesc Fabregas game after Francesc Fabregas childhood hero and compatriot Josep Guardiola.

However, Fàbregas' statistics have improved over the seasons, and Francesc Fabregas has adopted a more aggressive style of play. Francesc Fabregas importance to the team as the main creative force is also reflected in Francesc Fabregas contributing 16 assists in all competitions in the 2006–07 season. Given Francesc Fabregas young age, concerns have also been raised over the large number of games Fàbregas has played for club and country in the last few seasons, as burnout may become an issue if Francesc Fabregas is not adequately rested, although the midfielder has only sustained one major injury in Francesc Fabregas six-year career with Arsenal (during the 2008–09 season).

Club career statistics

: 2005 FA Cup Final
- FA Community Shield: 2004 FA Community Shield

International

- UEFA European Football Championship: UEFA Euro 2008

Individual

- FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Shoe: 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship
- FIFA U-17 World Championship Golden Ball: 2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship
- UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Golden Player: 2004 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship
- Bravo Award: 2006
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2006, 2008
- Premier League Player of the Month: January 2007, September 2007
- European Sports Magazines: September-October-November 2007
- PFA Young Player of the Year: 2007–08
- PFA Team of the Year: 2007–08
- UEFA Euro 2008 Awards: 2008

Other projects

Fàbregas starred in Francesc Fabregas own one-time only television programme, called "The Cesc Fàbregas Show: Nike Live", that aired on 19 May 2008. The programme was sponsored by Nike, Inc. and was shown on Sky Sports. The show featured Fàbregas in several sketches with Arsenal teammates like Philippe Senderos and Nicklas Bendtner, as well as coach Arsène Wenger, Fàbregas' parents and Little Britain star Matt Lucas.