Cesc Fàbregas - Spanish genius at the heart of Arsenal

One of the world's finest midfield players, Cesc Fàbregas has come to personify Arsene Wenger's philosophy on the football field. Mobile, possessing a delightful first touch, completely unselfish, always aware of 'the big picture' and totally committed to playing the game in the 'correct' way, Fàbregas is the perfect midfielder for one of Wenger's teams.

How Barcelona must still curse the day they allowed Cesc Fàbregas to slip through their fingers. It wasn't as if they didn't know about him, either. The acknowledged star of their much acclaimed youth policy having scored 30 goals in a single season and player of the tournament in a FIFA Under 17 World Championships, the Catalan giants knew that they had a star in the making. And yet Arsene Wenger was able to persuade him to turn his back on the team that he loved and had played for since childhood and come instead to north London. It seems as if Barcelona have been trying to sign him back ever since.

It didn't take very long for Arsenal fans to appreciate why the club had signed the young Spaniard, however. Despite his comparatively small stature, Cesc was put into the first team in a League Cup fixture when he was only 16 years old in 2003 and the following season he became the Gunners' youngest ever goalscorer in a Premier League fixture. When you compare Fàbregas' progress with the careful manner in which the Arsenal manager has nursed along the talents of, for example, Walcott, Ramsey and Merida then you can appreciate how highly he must have been regarded. After all, Cesc had played his 150 first team match before his 20th birthday.

The current 2009/10 season has seen Cesc playing in a role in which he has been able to get into the opposition penalty area more frequently. The consequence of this has been that, at the time of writing, his composure in front of goal had seen him score a more than adequate 9 goals in 15 games, in the League and Champions' League competitions. The manner in which he has linked up with Van Persie, Arshavin and others has won Arsenal plaudits all over Europe.

Never afraid to put a tackle in - and certainly never shy about standing his ground - Fàbregas' commitment to Arsenal is another reason why the fans love their captain so much. Although a very different type of player to the legendary Tony Adams, he has become another Arsenal captain that the followers of this famous London club think of as their own representative out on the pitch.

Cesc Fàbregas has become an important member of the successful Spanish squad in recent years, with 45 international caps and 4 goals to his credit so far. His profile at home is high enough for both Spanish giants, Real Madrid and Barcelona to actively covet his signature on frequent occasions. With his boyhood hero, Pep Guardiola, now manager of Barcelona, it seems unthinkable that Cesc would sign for anyone but them, should he leave Arsenal, but Arsenal fans everywhere will hope that day is a good few years off yet.

And the Premier League really would be a lesser place without a player like Cesc Fàbregas lighting it up.