A Season of Cesc

Last updated: 13th May 2008

A Season of Cesc

Fabregas: PFA Young Footballer of the Year

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The 2007/08 season has seen the Arsenal midfielder come of age, displaying vision and creativity that led to his manager likening his young protege to a latter-day Platini.

He started the season with a flourish, finding the net seven times in the first nine games. The highlight of those strikes coming against bitter rivals Tottenham as his long-range screamer stunned White Hart Lane to hand The Gunners a priceless victory.

Then came a first-rate brace as he took centre stage in Arsenal's 7-0 massacre of Slavia Prague; the first a deft curler and the second the final brush stroke to a wonderfully painted move.

There is, however, one moment that stands tall above the many that have formulated Cesc's campaign: that famous night in Milan when the most experienced of UEFA Champions League veterans chased vivid, youthful shadows.

Fabregas was sent into ecstasy when his rasping drive nestled into the bottom left-hand corner, handing Wenger's men an unforgettable scalp at the San Siro.

And at 20 years old, there is much more to come from the Spanish dynamo - whose achievements will be celebrated on May 13th as he stars in a unique live event to be broadcast the following week on Sky Sports.

Click here for our special 'Season of Cesc' page where we review his season and focus on his key games throughout the campaign, using OPTA stats to show how he squared up against opposition midfielders, including Gerrard, Lampard, Jenas and others.

What they said about Cesc:

Steven Gerrard on Cesc:

"The world is his oyster. He can go on to be one of the best in the world, there is no doubt about that. So far this season he is having a fantastic time. If he keeps working hard at his game and stays as dedicated as he has been so far, he can achieve anything."

Sergio Ramos on Cesc:

"He's a great footballer, and a leader and key player for Arsenal. He's one of the few Spaniards who's succeeded abroad in such a competitive league as the English one."

Manuel Almunia on Cesc:

"Cesc is only 20 but he already plays like a veteran. We all believe in him and know he will become an Arsenal legend. He has the capacity, the skill and the quality to become as good a player as Kaka. But he also needs to win trophies to become a truly great player."

Arsene Wenger on Cesc:

"Cesc is committed and you always like your players to have a winning attitude. Sometimes it can go a little bit over the top, but Cesc has behaved remarkably well this season - I cannot remember one incident."

Kaka on Cesc:

"He is a great player for the future. He's an amazing talent because of how he plays and how he controls how others play. He's always moving. He's the prototype of the modern footballer because he is aware of everything that his happening on the pitch."

Xabi Alonso on Cesc:

"I'm not surprised how well Cesc did because we know what he can do, we see what he does in training every day. He is not fazed by the World Cup. He is not fazed by anything... he has an old head on young shoulders, as they say in England."

Gordon Taylor on Cesc:

"Fabregas has been a marvellous player for Arsenal who, when they are in full flow, are wonderful to watch - with Fabregas usually at the heart of every move. He is the one who makes them tick and, to see him so composed in the midfield action area, you would think that there is a much older head on those young shoulders because he has such remarkable vision and perception of what is going on around him. He is going to be a player for all seasons if he keeps going the way he is."

William Gallas on Cesc:

"He can be the best player in the league. To be the best you have to be good during one season and the season is very long. He has to know sometimes when he is tired, to not play a physical game because sometimes when they are young, they like to touch the ball too many times. Cesc has to save his energy, but he can be the best player."

Dave Kitson on Cesc:

"It is not even fair that a kid that young can have so much talent. Fabregas is world class already, and that is a hell of a statement. He is definitely among the top five players in the league, definitely one of the top players in the world. He can only get better, which is the frightening thing."

Rafa Benitez on Cesc:

"Before we were talking about a footballer with quality and talent. Now we are talking about a footballer with those same qualities but also with experience and confidence. He is one of Arsenal's key players."

Click here for 'A Season of Cesc'