Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 1 Arsenal 2
He thought he would be in Barcelona by now but instead turned up in Blackburn. [LNB]A week earlier, with memories of winning the World Cup still fresh in his mind, he had made his first appearance of the new season against Blackpool. These are strange times for Cesc Fabregas.[LNB]Even so, it was significant that the Spaniard should have been named in Arsenal's starting line-up for the first time following a summer of intense speculation over his future at the end of a week that saw Javier Mascherano force through his own move to the Nou Camp by refusing to play for Liverpool unless they sanctioned the deal, and Stoke's reserve goalkeeper Asmir Begovic also down tools.[LNB] Gunned down: Theo Walcott opened the scoring with this stunning strike[LNB]An example of player power for once proving ineffective? Perhaps. But it remains to be seen how Fabregas takes to being made to honour his contract with Arsenal.[LNB]Will Arsene Wenger be left with the same talismanic midfielder who cracked his right fibula winning a penalty against Barca, of all clubs, in the Champions League quarter-final in March but still insisted on getting up to take the spot-kick? [LNB]Or will it be the truculent young man who responded to being substituted on Saturday by trudging forlornly past his manager with barely a sideways glance, as if communications had broken down and he would rather be anywhere else but Ewood Park?[LNB]Wenger, for one, believes that Fabregas will not only get over the disappointment of Arsenal's refusal to even entertain a £29m bid from Barcelona for their former youth prodigy, he will emerge even stronger for it.[LNB] One in the eye: Fabregas looked none too pleased at being substituted against Rovers[LNB]'It was vital to keep Cesc this summer,' said Wenger. 'He is our leader and has massive responsibility. I'm convinced that he's up for it. [LNB]'He will be the player he was before without any problems and he could even be stronger. I think, once he is fit he will be mentally ready.' [LNB]Wenger claimed Fabregas' discontent at being replaced by Tomas Rosicky was because he was unaware of plans to take him off after an hour, adding: 'Cesc loves to play and that's why I did not tell him he would come off before the game. He did not know that.[LNB]Enlarge 'He has not played since the World Cup Final and it's difficult. I left him on for longer, but he's not completely there yet.' [LNB]Fabregas still produced some wonderful pieces of skill, without ever imposing himself on the game like he can. It didn't stop the Blackburn fans taunting him with chants of: 'You're supposed to be in Spain!' [LNB]That may yet happen in future, certainly if it transpires that an informal agreement exists with his club similar to the one that saw Manchester United persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to stay an extra year before joining Real Madrid.[LNB]However, Wenger insists it is his captain's close relationship with Arsenal that enabled them to succeed where Liverpool have failed with Mascherano.[LNB]'There is trust and confidence,' said the Arsenal boss. 'I believe that Cesc has given a lot to the club but the club has given a lot to Cesc, so that's why.[LNB]'I believe he loves Arsenal and that's why he accepted our decision in the situation.[LNB]'Mascherano might be a financial problem, I don't know. When you transfer a player, you need the agreement of the three parties and that's why player power exists and is legitimate. But the club has its rights as well.' [LNB]Sam Allardyce may be shopping at the other end of the market as the transfer window closes, but the Blackburn manager has no doubt about the quality of player Arsenal have on their hands.[LNB]'Some of the passing he does is cutting edge in the areas where it is most difficult to play those passes,' said Allardyce. 'His vision is exceptionally good and he's got goalscoring ability.[LNB]'He's the most important player Arsenal have kept hold of for many years.'[LNB]Quite how Fabregas responds to being kept at Arsenal remains to be seen.[LNB] Scott Carson and Matthew Upson back for Englandas Fabio Capello's defensive crisis bitesWilshere arrested and released on bail after 'fracas' early on Sunday morning Pulis blasts Wenger as Stoke complain to authorities over 'rugby' jibeARSENAL FC
