Francesc
Fabregas Soler
Midfielder
Born: May 4, 1987
Birthplace: Vilessoc de Mar, Spain
Height: 5' 9''
Weight: 10.9 Pos: M
Age: 19
After emerging into English football through Arsene Wenger's tried
and tested route of the League Cup, Fabregas has become one of the
most highly-rated youngsters in the world cup.
Supremely skillful and with composure with belies his young years,
this Spanish midfield wizard looks certain to become a true star of
the modern game.
Fabregas' performances when filling in for the injured Patrick
Vieira, Edu and Gilberto Silva for much 2004/05 led to him becoming
a fully fledged member of the first team squad earlier than planned
- but there was no way the Gunners' coaching staff could have held
him back.
In March 2006 he made his 50th Premiership start - despite still
being two months short of his 19th birthday. He had become a
certain starter for Arsenal.
The midfielder had also begun to make waves on the international
scene. That same month he was handed his debut for Spain when
starting the international friendly against Ivory Coast - and
playing the whole match - to become Spain's youngest cap for 70
years.
He had previously been named Player of the Tournament and also won
the Golden Boot at the Under-18 World Cup in Spain colours.
That led to much speculation about interest from Real Madrid. And
although the player was said to be flattered by the link Arsenal
were determined to keep hold of one of the brightest prospects in
the game.
'Cesc', as he prefers to be known, first made history in October
2003 when he became the youngest player to turn out for Arsenal, in
a League Cup tie against Rotherham United.
The Spaniard, who moved to Highbury in the summer of 2003 from
Barcelona, was aged just 16 years 177 days when he took to the
pitch for the Gunners for the first time.
He scored on his second appearance for Arsenal, a 5-1 Carling Cup
thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers - making him the youngest ever
Arsenal goalscorer.
He was welcomed fully into the first team squad for the 2004/05
season, playing the whole of the Community Shield victory over
Manchester United.
And the midfield starlet kept his place for the 4-1 victory at
Everton on the opening day of the Premiership season.
His performances with Vieira out injured were superb, energetic,
skillful and quality.
The midfielder opened his Premiership account for the Gunners in a
3-0 home win over Blackburn Rovers, still aged only 17.
'Cesc' is a precocious talent of the highest order. His ability for
one so young is actually quite frightening.
He had a hugely influential first month of the season, although the
return to fitness of Vieira curtailed his involvement.
And he was rewarded with a new long-term contract in mid-September
2004. And that was extended again in August 2005 to run until the
summer of 2011.
Fabregas was one of the few bright spots of a hugely disappointing
season for the Gunners in 2005/06. With Vieira having left for
Juventus, Fabregas became the focal point of the midfield and
looking like a seasoned pro rather than a youngster starting out in
the game as he approached 100 club appearances.
