Adios Cesc

Fabregas moves to Barca. The least surprising event in football since Kieron Dyer was stretchered off on his debut at the weekend.

     There was a depressing air of powerlessness engulfed all around the Emirates Stadium. After years of frankly disrespectful grooming, the Catalan juggernaut finally sealed the return of the prodigal son.You would have had to be living in a cave for the past few seasons to find the move unsurprising. The infamous comments from Xavi regarding Cesc's 'Barca DNA' infuriated the red half of North London none more so than Puyol and Pique's constant pining for a re-union; fate as they would have us believe. 

     

    The £35million fee after bonuses is a surrender on Arsenal's part, an acceptance of its inevitability after previously being so adamant on their £40m pricetag. A player who had created the most chances in all of Europe's top leagues over the past five years, surpassing even the metronomic Xavi, had been sold for less than Andy Carroll; an unproven striker with half a Premier league campaign under his belt. It is fair to say that football is unwell with more money than sense being thrown around and no signs of that changing in the near future. 

     

  An underlying feeling of bad blood between the teams no doubt remains; certainly from the fans' perspective. There is definitely mutual respect between the two clubs and the managers for footballing reasons however it is fair to say that the Spaniards could have handled the saga with a lot more integrity and morality. 

     

   At the press conference on Monday Wenger looked despondent, deep in thought and genuinely disheartened at the loss of his captain; the boy from Catalonia who he had transformed into a European Championship and World cup winner. This was different to the departures of Vieira, Henry, Pires, Ljungberg and Overmars, superb players no doubt but players who left in the twilight of their careers, players who never really reached the heights they did under Wenger's guidance.  Fabregas is 24 with his best years ahead of him, a frightening thought only testament to his prodigious talent and meteoric rise so young. Wenger knows this better than anyone and I have no doubts he could have done no more to keep hold of his captain. 

   

   An already disillusioned fan base at the Emirates are wondering what is happening to their team and although Wenger continually cites the benefits of patience and faith it is fair to say another trophyless season could spell the end of the Frenchman's glorious reign. It is paramount that all of the transfer fee received for the deal is re-invested in players if Wenger can lead Arsenal to an incredible 14th successive Champions league qualification. 

   

    On his departure Fabregas though was keen to stress the importance of believing in Wenger, the man who he described as the best man he has and ever will meet in football. Speaking at an emotional unveiling at the Nou Camp, Cesc had nothing but kind words for his former club claiming that his biggest regret would always be never lifting a cup as Arsenal captain and that he expects former colleague Jack Wilshere to captain England sooner rather than later. Though Arsenal fans are hurt by losing such a talented player, most know of 'El Capitan's' genuine love for the club and don't begrudge him returning home for he wouldn't have left North London for any other team. There isn't the sense of animosity that entangled the transfers of Gallas and Ashley Cole before him and will be sure to surround the imminent departure of Nasri to oil-rich rivals City.  Fabregas may not be looked back on in the same ilk as the likes of Vieira or Adams but after the dust has settled he will be looked back on fondly at the North Bank. 
   
     Aside from the repercussions for Arsenal it has to be said how formidable Barcelona look and surely a certainty for another successful European campaign. Having added Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez to an already incredibly strong outfit it seems it might once again prove too difficult a task for anyone to stop the Catalans.