Cesc Fabregas has gone from hero to villain in North London, ending his eight-year association with Arsenal in 2011.
Arsene Wenger nurtured Fabregas after he joined Arsenal’s academy from La Masia, and crafted him into the World Cup-winning player he retired as.
The Spaniard was an adored figure at both Highbury and the Emirates however, several decisions along the way saw the opinion of the midfielder become altered in North London.
Fabregas left Arsenal to return to his boyhood club Barcelona in 2011, then put another dagger in fans’ hearts by signing for Chelsea in 2014.
Cesc Fabregas admits he regrets leaving Arsenal when he did
Arsenal fans were unhappy with Fabregas in 2010 as after Spain won the World Cup, the midfielder was seen wearing a Barcelona shirt as part of the celebrations.
Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol forced Fabregas to wear the jersey, which didn’t go down well in North London as he was still very much an Arsenal player.
Undoubtedly, the Spaniard’s transfer to Chelsea rattled the Gunners’ cages more although, the now-retired star has admitted that he regrets one move in his career.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker asked Fabregas if it was ‘hard’ for him to leave Arsenal and, whether he would have left the club in 2011 for any other side.
“No, I wouldn’t have left for anyone else,” Fabregas admitted, as he went on to make a shock admission.
“I even had doubts and maybe now thinking back, I think I should have waited a little bit longer.
“It was maybe not the right time, Xavi was still going strong, I thought in that moment that I was seen as the replacement for Xavi and it was not that time yet.”
The midfielder continued to explain that had he remained at Arsenal for longer, he might have secured his spot in Barcelona’s squad sooner.
“I just have the feeling that if I had waited a little bit longer, I would have been a regular.”
It’s a surprising admission from the now 37-year-old, who bid farewell to North London in 2011 to fulfil his dream of playing for Barcelona at senior level.
Fabregas’ Arsenal legacy will split opinion
Fabregas certainly left a sizeable footprint at Arsenal, securing 303 appearances in which he scored 57 goals and provided 95 assists.
The Spaniard’s legacy is under question, however, not so much as a result of his transfer to Barcelona, but due to his decision to return to London to sign for Chelsea.
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Fabregas won two Premier League titles with the Blues to rub salt in the wounds, resulting in his banner at the Emirates being torn down and disposed of by supporters who wanted no association with the midfielder.
When thinking of players who are regarded as legends at Arsenal, the World Cup winner is omitted by many due to his ties to Chelsea, ending his career in England at Stamford Bridge.
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