Fabregas’ heart bleeds red, for Spain and for Arsenal?

Pictures can be deceiving. Though Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, and Pepe Reina forced a Barcelona kit onto Spain’s assisting hero Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal captain immediately took it off. Part professionalism, part loyalty. But Cesc’s ability to laugh off a joke from his Catalan teammates showed where his heart his. And it’s not Barcelona.

After Spain’s 1-0 victory over Netherlands on Sunday, Fabregas said: “All I can say is that this World Cup victory is for all the Arsenal players and fans. They are a world-class club.

“I had a text message of congratulations from Arsene Wenger. He said I deserve it. I just think this is for everyone at Arsenal who helped me get to where I am now. I am an Arsenal player and proud to be.”