Arsenal Transfer News: 10 Reasons Gunners Might Be Better Without Cesc Fabregas

You do not have to be an Arsenal supporter to know about the Cesc Fabregas transfer saga.

It has been the main story of the summer transfer window for the past two summers, and has dragged on for longer than most can tolerate.

Through all the different stories, with their different sources, objectives and slants, it has always been said that Arsenal cannot afford to lose Fabregas, and the Gunners guard him so closely because his departure would be a devastating blow to the team.

Fabregas is a fantastic player—that much is indisputable. But, perhaps the transfer of the Arsenal captain would not be so bad for the Gunners. In fact, let's take it a little further: It might actually be good for them.

I realize that this runs in direct conflict with popular belief, but take a moment to consider these 10 reasons why Arsenal may indeed be better off without Cesc Fabregas in the team than with him.

Players Could Step out of His Shadow

As such a dominant figure at the club, Fabregas tends to unintentionally make himself larger than the club at times.

Perhaps as a result of the transfer saga, or maybe just because of his incredible quality on the pitch, all focus always seems to be on Fabregas when he is playing, and most stories are about him when he is not.

This has prevented some players from adding their voice, both on and off the pitch. A similar effect happened with Thierry Henry towards the end of his time at the club, as he admitted that the amount of play that ran through him may have hindered the squad.

It would seem as if, with the enormous amount of play that runs through Fabregas, Arsenal are experiencing the same problem now with Fabregas.

Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey Can Step Up

If Cesc Fabregas were to leave Arsenal now, it would not be necessary to rush out for a replacement before the end of the transfer window.

While a player like Juan Mata would be a very good addition to the squad, we have two supremely talented youngsters waiting for their chance in Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

A couple seasons ago, the common belief was that Ramsey would be the natural successor to Fabregas. However, with the incredible emergence of Wilshere in midfield, there are now two youngsters who can share Fabregas' burden in midfield.

Not only are Wilshere and Ramsey of the highest quality, they are both fiercely loyal to the club, and both can be midfield stalwarts for the next 10 years. And while one is already captain of his country, the other shows the potential to be an Arsenal captain in the future.

So, apart from Wilshere and Ramsey being hungry, eager and remarkably skilled, their presence assures Arsenal supporters that the creative burden will not fall so heavily on one player as it did with Fabregas.

New Captain

While many are divided over Cesc Fabregas' ability as a captain and a leader, I firmly believe that he is not fit to be captain of a football club of the stature of Arsenal and one with as much youth as Arsenal have.

When Arsenal need a commanding voice to reassure them and motivate them in times of strife, they have been found wanting time and time again.

"Leading by example" has simply not proved effective for Fabregas in his time wearing the armband, and it is time to pass the torch to someone who can be a true leader of men.

Despite his injury troubles, Robin van Persie has shown himself to be a very good leader and a force in the dressing room, as well as a loyal servant to the club for years. And if Wenger is troubled by the Dutchman's injury record, he can feel secure in giving Thomas Vermaelen the armband as well.

Either way, it is clear that Fabregas has failed to provide any sort of guidance or vocal leadership (other than complaining to referees) during his captaincy, and his transfer would provide a perfect opportunity to start anew.

No More Distractions

If there is one thing that this prolonged saga has produced, it is a massive headache for everyone at the club. specifically the players.

As Fabregas' teammates, they are assumed to be in the know about his intentions, and are thus questioned about it ad nauseam for the entire summer.

Beyond the media, it must affect players somewhat when they have no idea whether their captain and talisman will play in the next game, or, indeed, be on the team at all.

With Fabregas gone and the saga completely behind everyone, the players, the coaching staff and the board itself will be able to just focus on football and improving the team, rather than the protracted departure of one player.

His Massive Transfer Fee

The only reason why Fabregas has not been presented in his new Barcelona kit yet is the haggling over his transfer fee. Barcelona's latest bid was £35 million, while Arsenal are quite right in demanding £40 million for their captain.

Either way, Arsene Wenger is going to have a lot of money entering his coffers. I am on the brink of losing faith in his frugal transfer policy, but I would still like to believe that this massive influx of cash would prompt some level of spending.

With this massive addition to Wenger's transfer kitty, he could splash some cash on Gary Cahill or his annual crush, Phil Jagielka. And, so as not to make signing a defender such a bitter pill to swallow for Wenger, he would have extra money to spend on a speedy young winger.

Thus, the whole squad could be strengthened by letting one player go. Addition by subtraction.

Return to the 4-3-3

Due to the emergence of Jack Wilshere, Arsenal were forced out of their usual 4-3-3 formation this season, and into a 4-2-3-1.

At times, Arsenal were downright formulaic in their deployment of this formation, and teams like Manchester United were able to plan for exactly what Arsenal would do.

However, with Fabregas gone, Arsene Wenger could return to the free-flowing 4-3-3, while also having the ability to change formation at will.

In such a formation, Alex Song could anchor the midfield, while Wishere and Aaron Ramsey operate in central positions, perhaps with the latter slightly more advanced than the former.

Thus, Arsenal could wring all available creativity out of their midfield, while keeping the attacking positions intact and playing the same players.

Translation: more attacking creativity, flair and goals—all of which Arsenal sorely lacked at times last season with Fabregas at the helm.

Start of a New Era

There was the Tony Adams era, the Patrick Vieira era and now, coming to a close, is the Cesc Fabregas era. You will notice that only the last era yielded no success, which is exactly why Arsenal need to start anew and begin a new era at the Emirates Stadium.

Who to center this rejuvenation around? None other than the aforementioned Jack Wilshere.

He certainly has the ability and the off-the-pitch attributes that would merit making him the centerpiece of this latest rejuvenation, and would be the first English captain since Adams were he to ascend to the position. But really, the specific player does not matter too much for Arsenal at this point.

The Fabregas era was marred by inconsistency, failure and constant speculation over the devotion and future of the centerpiece of the team.

Now, in this critical time for Arsenal, it would benefit the team greatly to have fresh blood hopefully beginning a new era of success in North London.

Fabregas' Constant Injury Problems

Cesc Fabregas is certainly a player of great quality and contributes a great deal to the Arsenal team when he plays. Unfortunately, he does not seem to be able to play all that much.

All the skill in the world will do you no good if you cannot actually play. Last season, while constantly struggling with hamstring problems, Fabregas only started 22 Premier League games for Arsenal.

For a player of Fabregas' stature, that is appallingly few matches. Moreover, since Cesc is the captain of the side, he is supposed to be an omnipresent force in the squad, always there to lead and contribute.

So far, Fabregas has not shown the ability to consistently do that, which happens to be the main burden of a captain. And, if Michael Owen has taught us anything, it is that recurring hamstring problems can be extremely damaging to a player's career.

Let Barcelona deal with the future repercussions of Fabregas' hamstring problems. And let's get a captain who can actually play consistently.

It Might Allow Arsenal To Keep Samir Nasri

I realize that Cesc Fabregas is a better player than Samir Nasri. But I can also tell that the former is definitely leaving, and the latter has some chance to stay. I can further tell that what Nasri wants in order to stay is exactly what he would get were Cesc to leave.

He wants higher wages, equal to that of Fabregas. Well, when Cesc is sold, that allows for that money to be allocated to Nasri, should Arsenal elect to give it to him

He wants to play in a central role. With the departure of Fabregas, the gaping hole in the central attacking midfielder position could be ably filled by the talented Nasri, although I believe it is not the ideal option.

So in selling Fabregas, we can keep another extremely talented young player, in addition to bringing in the aforementioned reinforcements with Wenger's suddenly massive transfer kitty.

Once again, addition by subtraction.

Arsenal Have Shown They Can Win with or Without Fabregas

Arsenal 1-0 Manchester United. Aston Villa 2-4 Arsenal. Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal. Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur. Can you guess which games were played without Cesc Fabregas last season?

The fact that the first two wins were played without Fabregas and the last two debacles were played with him merely highlights Arsenal's ability to win with or without the Spaniard.

Granted, putting Fabregas in the team does not decrease Arsenal's chances of winning at all. But the fact that Arsenal have often floundered worst when Fabregas is in the team and have succeeded many times without him in it shows that it is possible for the Gunners to cope with the loss of Fabregas.

What it all comes down to, really, is winning. Can Arsenal win without their captain and talisman, Cesc Fabregas? History has shown that they are certainly capable of doing so.

Thus, if Arsenal could get rid of all the negatives and distractions surrounding Fabregas whilst also putting a winning product on the field, it would seem as if finally giving Cesc his dream move to Barcelona would be beneficial for all parties involved.