Ex-Arsenal Star: I Wish I Stayed At Arsenal Longer

By The Editor
on 16th November 2023

Cesc Fabregas regrets how his Arsenal career ended…

Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas revealed that he regrets how abruptly he ended his Gunners career and wishes he remained in north London longer, Sky Sports reports.

Fabregas, after years of speculation, left in 2011 to rejoin his boyhood club in Barcelona – undoubtedly the best team in the world at the time.

They were also managed by Pep Guardiola, who Fabregas constantly referenced as his biggest inspiration as a young footballer in La Masia.

The former Gunners skipper was in the middle of an eight-year contract when he decided to leave, and his actions to force through a move left a bad taste in supporters’ mouths.

Fabregas’ time at Barcelona will not be reflected on fondly and he would be forced out 24 months later – which surprisingly saw him land in west London at Chelsea.

“I’m a very positive guy and I always like to look forward, I don’t like to look backwards too much,” Cesc said when asked if he had any regrets.

“But maybe when I went to Barcelona from Arsenal, I think if I could go back now on time, I could wait a little bit more and I could have gone maybe a little bit later.”

The World Cup winner was just 24 when he departed, and his move to Camp Nou always felt motivated by the politics and ego of the Spanish side.

Fabregas was the best La Masia prospect who escaped their grasp and became one of the best in the world in his position. It was almost as if Barcelona felt he was stolen and wanted him back – something which became central to disgraced president Joan Laporta’s campaign.

If he had a clear head, Fabregas would’ve waited for Xavi to grow older before making the move given how stable Barcelona’s iconic midfield trio were.

In the end, it’s another Arsenal career that splits opinion in terms of how their legacy is viewed.