Title: Does Cesc get enough credit?
Description: Our best player and Captain
davegordo - November 1, 2009 06:21 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
Henry Winter: Cesc Fábregas masterminds demolition of Spurs
Short on years but long on stature, Cesc Fábregas delivered a masterclass of modern midfield play in Saturday's North London Derby.
Of course, they sought to gang up on Fábregas, tried to squeeze the space around this noted playmaker, the man who makes his team tick, but the scarlet pimpernel in Arsenal's midfield soon eluded the close attentions of Tottenham's Wilson Palacios, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas.
One challenge from Palacios even removed the armband from Fàbregas, but this is a footballer who needs no badge of office to advertise his leadership qualities. Every touch does that.
Robin Van Persie collected the sponsors' bubbly for his double, but the eye kept being drawn back to Fàbregas, who scored the goal of the game, a magnificent strike after a determined dribble past white shirts that flapped like white flags. Spurs' resolve was broken by Fábregas. On the few occasions he lost possession, murmurs of disbelief briefly replaced the chants of "olé'' rolling around the Emirates. Fàbregas was that good.
The capital boasts many sights: the London Eye, Big Ben, Boris Johnson's hair, Wembley's arch, Frank Lampard's driving runs from midfield and Fábregas' array of passes. Left foot or right, a lay-off to Bacary Sagna here or sweeping through-ball to Eduardo there: Fábregas paraded the variety and vision in his game.
For the watching Fabio Capello, the Spaniard's performance was another reminder of the quality of ambush lying in wait when England journey through South Africa next summer. For the admiring Arsène Wenger,Fábregas' prominence was another reminder of why he believes Arsenal can reach for the stars this season in the Premier League and Champions League.
Asked whether there was any other midfielder in Europe of such tender years capable of dictating the tempo so brilliantly, Wenger shook his head.
"No, there isn't,'' replied the Frenchman. "That's why he plays for Arsenal. When we saw him play at 16, Cesc had certain things you cannot give. He had the science of how to play in the middle, when to turn, what areas to play the ball. That's talent.''
That's true but one obvious concern needs recording. Arsenal are heavily reliant on Fábregas. Injury to their No 4 or more effective marking would stymie Wenger's side. Supporters certainly acknowledge his importance.
"Since being trusted with the Arsenal captaincy,'' one fan inserted in Fábregas' Wikipedia entry, "it has been generally acknowledged that he is god in human form'', which seems excessive if reflective of the devotion he inspires in disciples.
They revered him even more after this. The first period was Arsenal in a nutshell, too pretty for too long before shifting up a gear. Fábregas, who had already tested Gomes with a low shot, raised the tempo in the last four minutes, going for the jugular as Arsenal struck like lightning – twice.
First Fábregas' understanding of team requirements was on display. This is a midfielder who plays with his head up, who always checks on team-mates' movement before even receiving the ball, let alone releasing it.
His role in Arsenal's opener was simple enough, returning the ball to Sagna, whose cross was flicked in by Van Persie.
The home fans did not have time to chant "One-nil to the Arsenal'' before Fábregas was weaving more magic. When Van Persie pressed Huddlestone into surrendering the ball, Fàbregas was off and running.
"There was a kind of shock in Spurs [after the first goal] and we took advantage of it,'' said Wenger. Fábregas darted in ahead of the diving Palacios, beat the sluggish Ledley King and then displayed a wonderful moment of trickery, giving Gomes the eyes. Shaping to place the ball to the right, he deceived the keeper by sweeping the ball into the other side of the goal.
Devastating.
Spurs folded, allowing Fábregas largely to run the second half. After Van Persie's second, well created by Sagna following perspicacious use of the advantage rule by the excellent Mark Clattenburg, Fábregas took over again, lifting a sublime pass over Spurs back-four for Eduardo. He missed badly, but the memory remained of Fábregas' delivery.
By the 70th minute, Fábregas was earning standing ovations simply for wandering over to take a corner. There was so much to admire, particularly his ability always to be available, often taking a couple of steps back from the fray to provide an outlet. As well as raiding through the middle, he roamed between the flanks, passing to Gael Clichy one moment, Sagna the next.
As Arsenal fans chanted "cheerio'' towards some Spurs supporters who had seen enough, Fábregas was hunting a fourth, lifting in a free kick that Eduardo headed at Gomes and then a corner that Abou Diaby nodded wide. In the dying seconds, Fábregas was still looking for another goal, displaying stamina and pace in racing 60 yards to support Sagna.
At the final whistle, Fábregas revealed his sporting side, jogging across to the vanquished, sweat-stained figure of Palacios to salute his opponent's endeavours. And Arsenal's hero hardly looked out of breath. |
Rarely see Cesc get MOM on here, we only really notice him when he's exceptional!
bergstar - November 1, 2009 06:24 PM (GMT)
Yes he does, he's overpraised when he does well, undrpraised when he doesn't, it evens itself out. Henry Winter ought to ask his colleagues why they are so fickle
Paris Gooner - November 1, 2009 06:28 PM (GMT)
He is possibly THE most important player we have, a player that any other team would want, he runs further and completes more passes than anyone else, assists and scores, is totally loyal, loves Arsenal, and yet... fans rarely sing his name at the games, he is rarely MOTM on this board. I don't get it.
Whatever - November 1, 2009 06:28 PM (GMT)
I probably get ridiculed for that, but I think his absolutely outstanding stats this season (5 goals, 9 assists so far) make him look a little bit better than he has been playing this season.
Don't get me wrong he's had a good season so far, a very good one in fact, but his general play is still somewhat below his best. Against spurs, he was playing pretty shite before his goal. Afterwards he was better, but his passing still has been kinda erratic this season.
I think, he does get enough credit..last season he was pretty average most of the time and was still regarded as one of the best players around...happy that he has stepped up this season
JackTheLad19 - November 1, 2009 06:33 PM (GMT)
I reckon relative to other teams the guy gets a rough ride on here, just me personally though
Syn - November 1, 2009 06:44 PM (GMT)
He has set himself high standards, and sometimes, when he performs to that level, we take it for granted. But at the same time - that's his job. He has the status of being the main man and captain at the club so he has to perform.
I have been very impressed with his defensive work this season. We always knew he is good in attack but he has been more disciplined.
Get Bendtner - November 1, 2009 06:47 PM (GMT)
I don't get this. He gets his name sung every game. Yes he cops for criticism when he doesn't play well, but equally he gets fulsome praise when he does. There is always going to be a large volume of comment on his performances, but that is natural, just as it was for Gallas, Henry, Vieira, Adams and other Captains before him.
Paris Gooner - November 1, 2009 06:52 PM (GMT)
Hardly ever hear his name sung where I sit (Orange quadrant)... Van Persie every game, Arshavin almost all the time (except recently), Theo if he plays, Eboue, Bendtner, Gallas, Song, Clichy fairly often - but Fabregas, not much at all. Glad to hear it's not the same everywhere.
Get Bendtner - November 1, 2009 06:55 PM (GMT)
I heard, and joined in on chants of "we've got Cesc Fabregas"!
In fact some were even singing it during one of the adverts featuring him at HT.
Green Quadrant
CK's Korma - November 1, 2009 07:05 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (bergstar @ Nov 1 2009, 06:24 PM) |
| Yes he does, he's overpraised when he does well, undrpraised when he doesn't, it evens itself out. Henry Winter ought to ask his colleagues why they are so fickle |
What he said.
He's praised to high heaven when we play well but one of the first in the firing line when we don't. Maybe that's just natural because he's the main man, although I can't remember it being that way for Henry and Vieira, I guess it was easier for their flaws to be overlooked given how good the team was then.
Sometimes though I feel he's picked on by people just to provide some sort of riposte to other fans that criticise the less fancied players at our club.
Get Bendtner - November 1, 2009 07:11 PM (GMT)
I thought Henry in particular copped for a lot of flack.
Der_Kaiser - November 1, 2009 07:12 PM (GMT)
Didn't get selected for the WPOTY shortlist....
Darth Vela - November 1, 2009 07:14 PM (GMT)
Well, he is renowned as being one of the best young players in world football and has the press blowing him whenever he does anything well so yeah. in general he gets enough credit, round here I'm not so sure he does but then for everyone cutting him down to size there's an over-optimistic idiot like me so again it probably evens out...
CK's Korma - November 1, 2009 07:15 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Get Bendtner @ Nov 1 2009, 07:11 PM) |
| I thought Henry in particular copped for a lot of flack. |
True.
I thought a lot of that was unjust.
Get Bendtner - November 1, 2009 07:16 PM (GMT)
Jens' Face - November 1, 2009 07:22 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Get Bendtner @ Nov 1 2009, 02:16 PM) |
| I like his dress sense. |
an example right there of ridiculous praise that he's done nothing to deserve
as for the op:
English media -- overpraises Cesc, just because (1) they're lazy and that's their schtick on him -- world-class and (2) they never seem to consider great midfielders in other leagues, like Xavi
rival fans -- half overpraise because they are FM numpties, half underrate to ridiculous extents relative to their own player" (cf. "Anderson is better than Fabregas), and half of them rate him exactly right
GW -- tends to underrate because (1) we hold him to higher standards than the rest of the players and (2) it's hard to appreciate how masterfully he controls the game
other Gooners -- I dunno because the only gooners I know are on GW :crying:
The Madness of King Jens - November 1, 2009 07:24 PM (GMT)
Fabregas is treated rather unjustly on here, imho. Let's put it into perspective, he's not world class (by that I mean he wouldn't be able to walk into any team in the world) and he hasn't won a trophy with Arsenal whilst playing in an influential position.
That being said, all this talk of his head not being at the Emirates and being at the Nou Camp is rubbish. I feel sorry for him in that he has to keep on pledging his future to Arsenal over and over again. I don't buy into all this "he kissed the badge, he must be a Gunner for life!" nonsense but he should be given a fair crack of the whip.
He's an Arsenal player, he's our captain and he deserves 100% support because his professionalism has been exemplary.
CK's Korma - November 1, 2009 07:25 PM (GMT)
Re - His finish yesterday.
The run we all know was great but I thought the finish was equally as impressive. He went for the near post when the far side was gaping, think that fooled Gomes.
Get Bendtner - November 1, 2009 07:32 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (CK's Korma @ Nov 1 2009, 07:25 PM) |
Re - His finish yesterday.
The run we all know was great but I thought the finish was equally as impressive. He went for the near post when the far side was gaping, think that fooled Gomes. |
If I have one criticism of his goal yesterday, it is that he did not leave enough time for me to finish my text message.
Coney - November 1, 2009 07:38 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Get Bendtner @ Nov 1 2009, 07:32 PM) |
| QUOTE (CK's Korma @ Nov 1 2009, 07:25 PM) | Re - His finish yesterday.
The run we all know was great but I thought the finish was equally as impressive. He went for the near post when the far side was gaping, think that fooled Gomes. |
If I have one criticism of his goal yesterday, it is that he did not leave enough time for me to finish my text message.
|
:lol:
Coney - November 1, 2009 07:41 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (CK's Korma @ Nov 1 2009, 07:05 PM) |
| QUOTE (bergstar @ Nov 1 2009, 06:24 PM) | | Yes he does, he's overpraised when he does well, undrpraised when he doesn't, it evens itself out. Henry Winter ought to ask his colleagues why they are so fickle |
What he said.
He's praised to high heaven when we play well but one of the first in the firing line when we don't. Maybe that's just natural because he's the main man, although I can't remember it being that way for Henry and Vieira, I guess it was easier for their flaws to be overlooked given how good the team was then.
Sometimes though I feel he's picked on by people just to provide some sort of riposte to other fans that criticise the less fancied players at our club.
|
OK - but maybe his significance to the club is that when he plays and has an off day, we are shit and when he plays and is on form, we are brilliant. Maybe the criticism is that the team should be able to cope with him having an off day and do something themselves.
As far as I am concerned, his ability to read the situation and put in a brilliant pass to put someone in just amazes me sometimes.
Milla - November 1, 2009 08:17 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Get Bendtner @ Nov 1 2009, 08:32 PM) |
| QUOTE (CK's Korma @ Nov 1 2009, 07:25 PM) | Re - His finish yesterday.
The run we all know was great but I thought the finish was equally as impressive. He went for the near post when the far side was gaping, think that fooled Gomes. |
If I have one criticism of his goal yesterday, it is that he did not leave enough time for me to finish my text message.
|
:pal:
Ach - November 2, 2009 12:09 AM (GMT)
I dont like to name names but there is a poster on here living in Elche in Spain who sees no bad in Cesc regardless of how he plays so we just try to even it up by not praising him much.