The curious case of Cesc Fabregas - The return?

We all know its going to be a long summer. It's barely been two weeks since the season ended (with Arsenal finishing above spurs for the 16th season in a row - couldn't help it!) and already we have been linked to several names. From Wayne Rooney to Yaya Sanago, Julio Cesar to David Villa. One name however, really gets the pulses racing and makes all Arsenal fans dream of a reunion made in paradise.

Cesc Fabregas, who started his career with Arsenal when he joined our academy on September 11th 2003. Initially Fabregas struggled to adapt to life in London, but once he did settle, he didn't look back. He made his debut at the age of 16 in the league cup at home against Rotherham, in the process becoming Arsenal's youngest ever first team player. After starting his career playing alongside club legends Gilberto Silva and Patrick Vieira, it soon became apparent that Arsenal had a gem of a player in their hands and he soon signed his first professional contract with the Gunners in September 2004.

From his early days we knew he'd be an exceptional player, his touch, his creativity, his vision, was parallel to none at his age and not only did he exceed those expectations, he also turned into a courageous and terrific leader on the pitch. There was no better proof of this than when on November 24th 2008 he was appointed club captain, replacing the mercurial William Gallas. Cesc became our midfield lynchpin, he scored goals, he assisted and at times won Arsenal games single handed.

Every time I watched Cesc with the Arsenal jersey on, he would give 100 per cent commitment and put a gargantuan effort in, sometimes at the cost of his own body and I have no doubts that had Cesc not been injured and played in the 2011 Carling cup final against Birmingham, we would not have to hear the ''8 years since Arsenal won a trophy'' jibes. So if Cesc Fabregas was such a prodigious talent with remarkable leadership qualities who loved Arsenal so much; why did he leave Arsenal? or should I ask, why did Arsenal sell Fabregas?

There is no questioning that Cesc loves Arsenal and vice versa, but we must remember as a 15 year old boy he left his country and his hometown club of Barcelona to join Arsenal because he felt his path to the first team at Barcelona would be more of an uphill task. His 8 glorious years at Arsenal came to an end before the start of the 2011-2012 season when he was courted heavily by Barcelona... this was nothing new, it was the same the previous season. Barcelona players would openly talk about Cesc returning to the Camp Nou, in an attempt to unsettle Fabregas and force Arsene Wengers hand. Arsene Wenger convinced Fabregas to stay for one more season after the 2009-2010 season, and although he tried again, this time Fabregas decided his heart was in Barcelona. Does this mean he doesn't have loyalties with Arsenal? of course not! it simply shows that he was torn between his boyhood club and his love for the Gunners.

Many stories have come about that Cesc went on strike and refused to play for us, however I am not of the opinion that this is the truth. In some ways I can understand him wanting to be reunited with his friends (Pique, Messi) and his boyhood idol (Pep Guardiola), but there is a part of me which says 'What if Fabregas stayed?'.

After 303 games, 57 goals, and over 100 assists; on August 15 2011, Cesc Fabregas signed for FC Barcelona........... I think I speak on behalf on many Gooners when I say it was like a wrench twisting in the heart. If we felt like this, please spare a thought for Arsene Wenger, who had become a father figure to Cesc and brought him up playing the Arsenal way. There is no way Arsene Wenger or Arsenal wanted to let their captain magnificent and midfield magician go, But due to the intense pressure Barcelona staff, players and the media had put on him, did Arsenal really have a choice? Fabregas however, did have a choice... and he made up his mind that he wanted to go back. We shouldn't hold this against him.

Fast forward 2 years, Fabregas has won the La Liga 2012-13, Copa del Rey 2012, Supercopa de Espana 2011, Uefa Supercup 2011, and the Fifa club world cup 2011. Was it worth going back to win trophies? yes. Is Fabregas a first team shoe in like he was at Arsenal? no. Have the Barcelona fans accepted him fully? no. Is Cesc Fabregas happy at Barcelona? In my humble opinion.. no. Any world class player (and believe me he is world class) wants to start every game and the person Cesc is, surely he wants to be adored by his fans the way he was at Highbury and latterly the Emirates stadium. There are also rumours that his girlfriend Daniella Semaan and child are based in London, is that not another factor which could point towards an Arsenal return?

Only having an FA cup winners medal from 2005 to show for his 8 years at Arsenal clearly means he has unfinished business at the club. Arsenal never wanted him to go, the fans never wanted him to leave, I know I never wanted him to leave and If Fabregas is to return to Arsenal this summer, I for one believe that it would be the biggest signing in the clubs history since we signed Dennis Bergkamp. He would slot into our system seamlessly and the link up play with the likes of Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla would be mouth watering. According to various reports Arsenal have first refusal on Fabregas and inserted a buy out clause of £25 million. If this is the case, one has to say, Mr.Wenger has played a masterstroke.

The return of the prodigal son is surely one to keep an eye on, there are more to these rumours then meets the eye and If he does make the most phenomenal and extraordinary return ever, then I believe Arsenal could rise once again as a force in the premier league. His return would give the current squad a boost that could have a positive effect for years to come. He had his heart set on a return to Barcelona, but what if his heart never left North London? If this is the case, surely we gooners can lay to the claim that Cesc had Arsenal DNA after all.

What do you think? Would you welcome back Cesc? What kind of impact do you believe he could have? Would he be the best signing Arsenal have ever made? or would you rather Arsenal invest the money elsewhere?

Please feel free to share your opinions and you can also follow me on twitter @R7KingKhan.

Rahman (Ray)