Forget Cesc, This is Arsene Wenger’s Defining Moment

Forget Cesc, This is Arsene Wenger’s Defining Moment

Forget Cesc, This is Arsene Wenger’s Defining Moment

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By Fidel Leblanc

Arsenal fans, why are we so devastated by the protracted departure of Cesc Fabregas? Its not like we haven’t had three years to mentally and emotionally prepare ourselves for this, right? Yet, the idea of Arsenal will at the Emirates and abroad without Cesc Fabregas in the squad, let alone leading it, will seem very foreign, perhaps as foreign as it was not seeing Thierry Henry in the starting line up.

But at the end of the day, everyone and their mother (and their great-aunt and grandfather) knew this would happen. Barcelona are, as painful as it is to admit it, the best club side in the world, arguably in the history of football. Arsene knew they were too good to turn down.

That alone is enough to turn the head of any talented footballer blessed with the blend of technical quality and footballing intelligence it takes to even be considered as a possible signing for the Blaugrana outfit. Add to that the fact that Fabregas is Catalan and came through Barcelona’s famed youth system, La Masia, and you have all the criteria that make for an eventual return for the former Arsenal captain.

As much as the fans will miss the supremely talented midfielder for his work-rate, commitment, and affection for Arsenal (though obviously not as much affection as Barcelona hold in his heart), his exit from the Emirates means there will be a huge Cesc Fabregas-sized hole in the Gunners’ creativity department. This was highlighted during their 0-0 draw to Newcastle United on opening day at St. James Park. Despite dominating possession throughout the match (something they are proficient enough to do without Fabregas), the spark, the creative push that he brings just wasn’t there. Aaron Ramsey is a prodigious talent, there is no doubt about this and he will in time take over the role of chief creator for the Gunners, but is he truly ready to fill the void left by the Spaniard’s departure as of now? Andrei Arshavin would be an excellent shout, though, with Samir Nasri’s move to Manchester City inching closer according to the transfer tabloids, his presence out wide on the left will be needed even more. Tomas Rosicky has looked sharp and well in pre-season and in the Newcastle match, but there are still question marks over “The Little Mozart’s” consistency since his long injury a few months back.

With all these questions about ready-made replacement for Cesc Fabregas already in the squad, it seems fair to ask that we dip our toes into the waters of the transfer market seas. Many possibilities exist of course, but it will surely take Wenger’s keenest eyes and judgment to find a player fitting into the needs of the squad. What Arsenal need is someone to dictate the game, a conductor of the orchestra as the old football metaphor goes. They need someone who can take advantage of the qualities every player in the squad has and bind them to him; memorize them, learn them like the back of his hand until everything he does is second nature. This role was created specifically for Cesc when Arsene Wenger changed his tactics from a tried and trusted lopsided 4-4-2 to a semi-rigid 4-3-3 and most recently to a fluid 4-2-3-1 system. Will a new signing force Wenger to re-work the system or can he use his eagle-eyed talent spotting ability to find a player who will fit right into the role? So many questions, and no time at all.

Arsene Wenger has never been under such a crushing amount of pressure at Arsenal before. After all, he is synonymous with the club, and not just because of the similarities in their names. Wenger revolutionized Arsenal, and this is his defining moment.