Why Arsenal Should Sell Cesc Fabregas and Invest in Their Future

Arsenal fans worship Cesc Fabregas and understandably so. The young Spaniard is an established world-class talent and yet still he remains at The Emirates.

That's not a slur of Arsenal as a football team—more a reflection on the club's reluctance to go bold in the transfer market and the fact they regularly sell their biggest names.

Most Gunners fans would admit the club haven't spent heavily enough or in the right areas to mount a serious challenge to the duopoly of Manchester United and Chelsea in recent years.

There's a financial sensibility underpinning Arsenal's caution, a restraint that has ensured the club has regularly returned a profit under Arsene Wenger.

Wenger has revolutionized Arsenal's culture. He's turned the focus on developing young players and laid down the foundations for future success. But time is running out and the Frenchman could well be gone before it arrives, unless he changes something quickly.

Perhaps Wenger doesn't like the notion of "buying" the title. Chelsea have spent ridiculous sums since Roman Ambramovich arrived at Stamford Bridge and Manchester United are never afraid of a big fee for the right player.

But while Chelsea and United have been winning titles, Wenger's team have been repeating themselves. They're occasionally brilliant, but they can't last the duration, and they're too brittle for the battle.

All of which brings me back to Fabregas. I think now is the time for Arsenal to finally let him go, most likely to Barcelona—the club he loves and has always wanted to play for. If Wenger can get £30-£40 million for him, Arsenal could finally be in a position to invest in the kind of players they need to become winners.

Wenger's team needs steel and they need leadership. They need the kind of players who hold on to a 3-1 lead as if their lives depend on it and set an example for everybody around them.

If Wenger can sell Fabregas and take the money to buy two proven leaders—preferably one central defender and one central midfielder, Arsenal could be a team transformed next season.

With likes of Jack Wilshere and Samir Nasri to call on, Wenger has all the creativity and inspiration he needs. What he doesn't have is enough experienced heads with the stomach for the battle.

And he won't get them unless Arsenal finally get out the club credit card and invest in a future their fans will actually get to see unfold.