Another one of our sons bids farewell to the Emirates and says 'Hola!' to the Nou Camp. Though for Fabregas and all his quality, I can't help but Fabregas might be another Overmars/Petit/Hleb/Henry in Catalonia. Even for a player of Cesc's calibre, breaking into an almost perfect midfield containing Busquets, Mascherano, Xavi and Iniesta is going to be an uphill challenge.
Why did he go?
I think we all know the reason to this one. Cesc is a Catalan boy born and bred and has longed to return home for some time now. However, I can't help but feel that this is Wenger's fault. If Arsene had addressed our weaknesses some time ago and built the title winning side he could have with just a few minor tweaks in the transfer market, I'm sure Fabregas would have been happy to stay.
You can't blame a player for wanting to join the most successful side in world football right now and it is understandable that after only one trophy in 7 years at the club, Fabregas became disullusioned and impatient with the philosophy Wenger keeps insisting will work. Sadly, he is now the only one left that believes it.
But Fabregas was still under contract, right?
Again, the ball was in Wenger's court. Though it was no secret that our skipper wanted to return to his former club, Fabregas was indeed under contract at the club untill 2014. Not wanting to upset the very club that made him the player he is today, Fabregas never submitted an official transfer request.
With this is mind, I can't help but feel Wenger rolled over a bit easy when Barca came calling with this final bid. The transfer amounts to 29m plus add-ons worth a further 6m. Still a good five million short of our asking price.
If Barca wanted Cesc so bad but couldn't stump up the required cash, perhaps they shouldn't have splashed 23m on Alexis Sanchez earlier this month.
Will he be missed?
In recent seasons, the Spaniard failed to complete more than 27 league games due to various injuries. For that reason alone, the deal represents good value for the Gunners. However, in those seasons, the playmaker has still provided more goalscoring opportunities than any other player in Europe (see below).
Goalscoring opportunities created over 5 seasons:
1 Fabregas - 466
2 Xavi - 455
3 Lampard - 452
4 Pizarro - 427
5 Diego - 423
6 Gerrard - 396
7 Totti - 378
8 Giggs - 365
9 Nene - 361
10 Downing - 355
The now-Barca midfielder was also Arsenal's top provider for goalscoring opportunities last season, despite playing almost 33% less matches than second highest provider, Jack Wilshere.
1 Fabregas - 72 from 1887 minutes
2 Wilshere - 60 from 2650
3 Nasri - 58 from 2391
4 Arshavin - 55 from 2194
5 Van Persie - 44 from 1768
6 Chamakh - 40 from 1845
7 Song - 32 from 2594
8 Rosicky - 27 from 927
9 Sagna - 24 from 2969
10 Walcott - 23 from 1696
How will he be remembered?
Fabregas has undoubtedly been Arsenal's top performer over the past 5 years, though he leaves without the tag of 'club legend' firmly attached to him in the same way Bergkamp, Vieira or Henry did as a result of his lack of silverware with the club. Fabregas will be remembered as a great Arsenal midfielder, but perhaps not a truly iconic club figure.
Who will replace him?
A deal for Valencia's Juan Mata is expected to be tied up before the transfer window slams shut. Reports suggest Shakhtar's Brazilian playmaker Jadson could be jetting into London soon too. This comes after the Gunners were beaten to the signing of Argentine Ricky Alvarez by Internazionale earlier this summer. However, don't be suprised to see Wenger promote Aaron Ramsey into the Fabregas role and keep his purse strings once again well and truly closed.
Before I go Gunners, I shall leave with you with this amusing parody of Eminem's 2000 hit, Stan. A satirical look at the relationship between Monsieur Wenger and new owner, Stan Kroenke.
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