Charting the Progress of the Arsenal Debutants from Cesc Fabregas' First Game
October 28, 2003 was quite a momentous day in modern Arsenal history. Cesc Fabregas—and one or two players that you might not expect—appeared for the club for the first time.
Arsenal tied Rotherham United 1-1 but went through 9-8 on penalties. The result was not as significant as some of the men who debuted that day.
Let's take a look at the careers of the debutants and see where they are now.
Jerome Thomas
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Jerome Thomas has done quite well for himself since leaving Arsenal in 2004. He never had a chance with the Gunners due to the brilliance of Fredrik Ljungberg and Robert Pires, but he has made a nice career.
He appeared over 100 times for Charlton Athletic from 2004-08 and has been in the Premier League for most of the last several years, with West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, for whom he currently plays.
Thomas has not appeared much for Palace, though, and, as a forward, might see his performances dip quite severely soon due to his 31 years.
Graham Stack
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Graham Stack's career could hardly have started in a more interesting way. He was not only involved in a lengthy shootout but scored a penalty in it.
He has been loaned to six different clubs over the course of his career and has usually been content to play a backup role.
After a stint at Hibernian from 2009-12, he now plays and coaches for Barnet.
Justin Hoyte
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Justin Hoyte was the first of two Hoyte brothers to sign with Arsenal. His younger brother Gavin was released in 2012.
The elder Hoyte debuted at right back against Rotherham and played for Arsenal for five more years until he signed for Middlesbrough in 2008. He consistently found opportunities there, making 142 league appearances and getting some Premier League experience under his belt.
Now 29, he has just started a new chapter with Millwall.
Cesc Fabregas
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We all know Cesc Fabregas' story, so I will not belabor the point here.
After becoming one of the best midfielders in Arsenal history before reaching his prime and generating years of transfer speculation, he went home to Barcelona. Unappreciated after a couple of years at the Camp Nou, he could have become the prodigal son but Arsene Wenger decided he had enough options in attacking midfield.
Seeing him shred defenses to pieces at Chelsea is difficult for Arsenal fans to take but football is a ruthless business and feel-good stories are rarer than we would like.
Gael Clichy
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Bet you didn't know this one. Two staples of future Arsenal teams both debuted on the same day.
Gael Clichy was just 18 when he made his first senior appearance for the club. He would deputize for Ashley Cole for a few years before Cole acrimoniously departed for Chelsea and Arsene Wenger called him up to first-team duty.
He developed into a very solid left back over several years but never quite became world class and was sold to Manchester City during the exodus of 2011 for £7 million. He has since carved out a niche for himself at the Etihad as a solid backup/utility option and has added another two Premier League winners' medal to his collection.
He was the last remaining Invincible, and consequently the last Arsenal player to have won the Premier League that was still with the club.
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