Player Profile: Cesc Fàbregas

Name: Francesc Fàbregas i Soler

Date of birth: 04/05/1987

Nationality: Spanish

Position: Midfielder

Number: 4

Background: Fàbregas was born in Arenys de Mar, Barcelona and was raised as a huge Barcelona fan. He went to his first match at the age of nine months with his grandfather. Fàbregas began playing football for a club named CE Mataró. Before too long Barcelona's youth academy had noticed Fàbregas and signed him part time to their academy. Fàbregas' first coach, Señor Blai, used to attempt to hide Fàbregas from Barcelona but this did not work for too long and Fàbregas was soon signed on a full term contract.

At La Masia Fàbregas first met his current team mates Gerard Piqué and Lionel Messi. Many believe this is when the legendary chemistry of the current Barça squad was formed. Fàbregas continued to impress at La Masia but was not selected for Barcelona's first team. So when English club Arsenal offered to sign him to their academy Fàbregas accepted.

After joining Arsenal, Fàbregas realised he would not break into the first team straightaway so spent his first year adapting to life in England and fine tuning his football. Fàbregas' debut came in a League Cup match against Rotherham United. By doing so he became the youngest player ever to play for Arsenal at the age of 16 years and 177 days. This was one of many records Fàbrgeas broke during his time with Arsneal. Another came in a later round of the League Cup, when Fàbregas netted his first Arsenal goal. This broke the record for the youngest Arsenal player to score a goal.

Fàbregas did not play a league game in his first season with Arsenal. So when Arsenal won the title, Fàbregas did not receive a winner's medal. This gave Fàbregas the motivation he needed to break into the first team other than during League Cup games. He got his chance in a Community Shield game against Manchester United at the start of the 2004-05 season. Still determined to play in the Premier League, Fàbregas was granted his wish when Patrick Viera was sidelined for four games. He took no time to establish himself and did not seem scared of the big chances, by doing so he received praise for these games and scored his first Premier League goal.

Fàbregas ended that season by earning his first trophy in England after Arsenal's tense penalty shoot out with Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Spured by his positive start, Fàbregas wanted to improve for next season and was handed a first team place when Viera left for Juventus.

During his 49 appearances, Fàbregas was put under huge pressure due to his growing involvement in the team. But he relished in the opportunity and many fans and pundits alike started to take note of the Spaniard's talent. In particular his performances against Real Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League.

Transfer speculation grew but Fàbregas signed a new five year deal with Arsenal, citing Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger as a huge influence on his decision.

The season of 2006-07 was a year where Fàbregas earned his place in the list of the world's best players. Although Arsneal remained trophy less for another season, Fàbregas had become an indispensable part of the team and played in every league game that season, earning him a place in the UEFA Team of the Year. He also won Arsenal's fans' player of the year but was pipped to PFA Player of the Year by Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.

After another successful year at Arsenal, in which he gained more individual awards, he was handed the captaincy left vacant by William Gallas. He started the season brightly and helped Arsenal challenge for the title but was halted after an injury ruled him out for four months. Arsenal again finished the season trophy-less but Fàbregas again received high praise.

In the summer of 2010, Fàbregas' old club Barcelona, who had been keeping a close eye on his progress at Arsenal, wanted their man back. They offered €35 million for his services but were rebuffed by Arsenal who were determined to keep their Spanish starlet. Fàbregas remained at the club for the 2010-11 season and Arsenal's fortune had seemed to turn when they were still in line for a quadruple. But then came a disastrous period, they were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona with a misplaced back heel pass from Fàbregas leading to Barça's equalising goal. Shortly after they were eliminated from the FA Cup and were given one of the shocks of the season when they lost in the League Cup final to Premier League strugglers Birmingham City. This was a catalyst to a string of negative results which saw Arsenal slip out of the title race.

Barcelona again pursued Fàbregas in the summer of 2011. So when it became clear Fàbregas himself wanted to leave to return to his boyhood club, Arsenal had no choice but to accept Barcelona's €34 million offer.

Fàbregas stated that it had always been a dream to return to Barça and while many think leaving Arsenal was the easy option, the reality is none of the decision has been easy. He made his debut in the second leg of the Supercopa de España, breaking his trophy drought as Barça won 5-4 on aggregate against bitter rivals Real Madrid. Fàbregas ran into goal scoring form after Barça coach Pep Guardiola played him just behind Lionel Messi.

Fàbregas has been praised for his quick adjustment to life back in Barcelona and how well he has adapted to his new teammates. But many say it was the bonds he built during his time at La Masia and the experience he gained at Arsenal that have helped him become an integral part of the best team in the world.