As Cesc Fabregas was unveiled at the Nou Camp as a Barcelona player, the former Arsenal captain had words of thanks for Arsene Wenger.
The Spaniard initially left Barca for the Gunners in 2003 to seek first-team football, and quickly established himself as one of the team’s most important players, even in his opening season when the Invincibles were looking to retain their title, not once did he look out of place.
Years later, the 24-year-old is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, and has returned home to Barcelona for a big fee. Indeed, the Catalan giants were not the force they are now when Cesc left them, but now he is honoured to be joining one of the best club sides of the modern era.
“For me it’s a special day. I’m returning home. I know that the Arsenal fans will be disappointed with my exit from the club, but I’m here to face an incredible challenge, the challenge of my life.”
“I’m going to try very hard to make this [Barcelona] team more competitive and stronger,” he said. “If I can add even a little to make this team stronger, it would be a dream come true. I will work very hard to be able to earn my place here.”
On Wenger, he said: “I’ll never have enough words to thank him for all he’s done for me. I’ll never forget him.
“I don’t think he has such a good image here, he has been portrayed as something he’s not, in my opinion. If today I am here with you then it’s greatly due to him. I can’t express my admiration for him strongly enough, I owe it to him that I am here.”
It is sad that, although he returns to the club where he started, he isn’t really giving his best years to Arsenal, who really developed him into who he is today.
However, judging from his indifferent form and struggle with injuries last season, Wenger might well have sold at the right time, despite Cesc’s ripe age of 24. Time will tell, but then, he’s not really our concern anymore.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
