Former Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas, has recently revealed that the most fulfilling period of his football career was during his tenure at Arsenal. This revelation came before he made a move to FC Barcelona in 2011.
Fabregas joined the Gunners from Barcelona as a young talent of just 15 years old in 2003. He went on to make an impressive 303 appearances across all competitions for the North London club before returning to Nou Camp. His illustrious career later took him through Chelsea and AS Monaco, finally ending his playing days with Como 1907 in Italy.
In a candid interview with Arseblog podcast in 2020, Fabregas opened up about the factors that influenced his decision to move back to Barcelona. These included tensions with some former teammates, pressure to win trophies, and concerns about Arsenal’s recruitment strategy at that time. Despite these challenges leading up to his departure and subsequent controversial move to Chelsea, Fabregas has often expressed deep affection for Arsenal - a club he holds close to heart.
A special connection
During a recent appearance on the Rest Is Football podcast, this World Cup winner reiterated the special bond he had formed with Arsenal. He fondly referred it as “probably the happiest time of his life.” Fabregas was appointed as captain by Arsene Wenger in 2008 after William Gallas was stripped off this role. Reflecting on those times under Wenger's guidance, he recalled how rapidly he developed as a player under this legendary manager's watchful eyes.
“Starting out playing a little bit from the right and coming inside because Wenger wanted me protected… then playing centrally alongside Patrick Vieira or Gilberto Silva... Eventually moving me into No.10 position," said Fabregas while reminiscing about those golden days. "Year after year, I felt I was getting better.”
Former Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas, said:
“Those eight years, everything happened so fast for me and I grew up so much every year, I felt that I was getting better and better… This was not only for Arsenal but thanks to that, I went on to the national team, and we won what we won with Spain.”
Transition into management
Cesc Fabregas has since transitioned into management and is currently serving as the head coach of Italian club Como 1907. He played a pivotal role in helping the team achieve promotion to Serie A.
Despite his numerous career achievements, including winning the World Cup trophy and leading teams to victory in various leagues, Fabregas's time at Arsenal remains a cherished chapter in his life. His recent revelations only serve to underline this deep connection with the Gunners.
Cesc Fabregas's journey from being an aspiring young player at Arsenal to becoming a world-renowned footballer and now a successful manager is truly inspiring for sports fans worldwide. His fond memories of Arsenal remind us that sometimes it's not just about winning trophies but also about enjoying the game and growing as an individual.
