Cesc exit could assist Arsene

TEAMtalk examines why Arsene Wenger should consider embracing Cesc Fabregas' exit from Arsenal to European champions Barcelona. If Arsene Wenger really knows what is good for Arsenal he would not lament the seemingly imminent departure of Cesc Fabregas. He would embrace it. He would drive Fabregas to the airport, thank him for his service and seven years of stirring memories and put him on a jet bound for Barcelona. Then he would take a pledge to go back to basics. To invest in a team which balances creativity with honest, down-to-earth sweat and guts. Fabregas has been Wenger's shining jewel. No doubt about that. A midfielder with vision and style, he is one of the Premier League's greatest-ever talents. Yet he is also the player whose skills persuaded Wenger to alter his strategy, one which had brought three Premier League titles and four FA Cups. It is hard to remember now after so many seasons watching Arsenal sides weave beautiful, if ultimately ineffective patterns across the football pitches of Europe, but the younger Wenger was steeped in pragmatism. The 1998 Double-winning side was based on a solid back-four with two holding midfielders, Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira, two wingers, Ray Parlour and Marc Overmars, with a support striker in Dennis Bergkamp behind Ian Wright up front. The names changed but the Arsenal way stayed the same culminating in the 2004 'Invincibles,' who went through the league season unbeaten with Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires on the wings and Thierry Henry having succeeded Wright. They won the FA Cup the next season but then the ageing team disintegrated and that is when Wenger changed horses. He switched to fluid, pass, pass, less direct football, concentrating on pace and possession with Fabregas the intelligent ring master and in many ways the Premier League has been a richer place for that decision. The problem is, six years later, Arsenal are still waiting for another trophy. The supporters, who used to believe in their professorial manager and waved banners proclaiming 'Arsene knows' and 'In Arsene we trust', have begun to question his strategy. So much so that Wenger, even after triumphs such as overseeing the transition to the 60,000 capacity Emirates stadium, building a successful academy and inculcating sound economic principles which make the club arguably the best run in English football, arrives at the start of a new season as a man with an uncertain future. Everyone, especially the Emirates faithful, know what Arsenal need. A world class goalkeeper with Poland's 21-year-old Wojciech Szczesny still to prove his consistency. A central defender and leader in the mould of former captain Tony Adams. A holding midfielder to provide protection. A top-notch striker to support the injury-prone Robin van Persie. The problem is all they see is the likes of Samir Nasri, their most creative force after Fabregas, being linked with a move to rivals Manchester City while Wenger brings in the precocious 17-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton. Another youngster for the future and a deal which could prove to be successful, both on the pitch and in the bank balance. Yet, with an opening Premier League fixture away at Newcastle on Saturday and a Champions League qualifying tie against Udinese next week, it is the here and now which cries out for attention. Where is the maturity, the physical prowess and the mental toughness? That is what Arsenal fans are asking. Manchester United look as strong as ever, Manchester City continue to attract big talents such as Sergio Aguero. Liverpool exude freshness and ambition. In stark contrast, Arsenal appear unsettled, uncertain and unprepared. The leaving of Fabregas would give Wenger a chance to change course. He should take it. Frank Malley