Opposing Views On Fabregas: Should He Stay, Or Should He Go?

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

My article today is based on comments made in an article published by fellow Bleacher Reporter Mathew Maloney. In it he outlined eloquently several reasons why Arsenal should sell Cesc Fabregas.

I found the exchanges of comments I've had with the author very interesting because they remind me of debates I used to have with Arsenal fans regarding the sale of Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira.

I've presented the two view points in their original format because I feel both sides cover crucial and relevant insight regarding the importance of Cesc Fabregas to the team.

The following is an exchange of comments I've had with Mr Maloney, so please read them carefully. In addition, I've also presented my reasons on why Arsenal should not sell and cash-in on the club captain this summer.

This is my first response (posted in the Mathew Maloney article).

"You started very well, but like in most sensationalist pieces, there are some potholes in your story.

Allow me to point some of them out:

1. Fabregas just isn't the player everybody thinks he is? Are you for real? Fabregas is a world class player, that's why Barcelona and Real wanted him. He was injured for four crucial months last year and found it hard to get going again (I personally think he was rushed and came back too early).

2. Apart from the injury, the main reason why Fab suffered last year was because of the departure of Flamini (the guy who wins the ball for him).

3. Fabregas is as crucial to Arsenal as Lampard and Gerrard are to their respective clubs. If it wasn't for Ronaldo, Fabregas would've been the player of the year in England the season before last. He was outstanding that year, and Arsenal almost won the league.

4. Your point that Fab is "shy" and "unassuming" just doesn't hold up. If you know anything about him, you would know that he absolutely hates losing—ask Mark Hughes and that orange fella at Hull.

And the fact that he is a 22-year-old ex-Barca youth player doesn't make him any less of a leader. Remember he has been at Arsenal since he was 15-years-old so he knows what it takes to play for Arsenal and lead a team of men.

5. His English is great so there's no problem there. Actually, its better than Vieira's English.

6. Selling Fabregas will not win over the media. In fact, it will achieve the opposite, they will just move to the next big player at Arsenal like Arshavin.

7. I will go along with your assessment that Fab might go if Wenger leaves, but I wouldn't use Reyes and Pique as examples for Fab to follow.

Reyes left Arsenal because he never settled there and his family refused to join him in London.

Pique had to move from Manchester because Ferdinand/Vidic partnership is way too strong.

Fabregas is the heartbeat of the team and therefore first choice. I don't think he would be first choice at Barca at the moment.

8. Fabregas is not to blame for Arsenal's winless streak. It's a team/squad game now, and you must have adequate cover for every position;

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