Why Arsenal should welcome back Cesc Fabregas next summer

According to the Mirror, Cesc Fabregas has confirmed he is open to returning to Arsenal after his contract at Chelsea expires at the end of this season. The Spaniard has managed to feature in only four games for the Blues this season, as new manager Maurizio Sarri prefers other options.

The midfielder featured for the Gunners in eight campaigns before making his dream move to Barcelona in 2011. He arrived back at England, this time at Chelsea in 2014 and has won the Premier League league title twice. (2015 and 2017).

However, the arrival of Sarri has seen a change in playing style and the Italian hasn’t fancied giving Fabregas a chance in the regular eleven. Hence, the 31-year-old might be tempted to leave Stamford Bridge and look for opportunities elsewhere.

Here’s why Arsenal should welcome him back for another spell at the Emirates stadium:

Fabregas’ ability to play as a number 10

Unai Emery’s 4-2-3-1 system has the room for a proper number 10 operating behind the striker. Arsenal have Mesut Ozil playing that role and he is doing well. However, the north London club would require an adequate backup as games start to stack up.

That being said, the rotation of the squad is necessary, especially given the fact that Emery plays football at a higher intensity level.

Fabregas’ versatility could come to the fore in these situations. The Spaniard can play as a number 8 in a 4-3-3, and as a number 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation. His use of the ball is of the highest quality, something which not many players have in the Premier League.

Emery can also utilise him in a 4-1-4-1 system with two number 10s alongside Ozil and a defensive midfielder behind them.

Hence, it is pretty clear that the arrival of the 30-year-old will bring variety to the side, and the manager can make use of the player in different ways to outfox the opposition teams.

Verdict

Arsenal are going well this season but the reality is that they are a work in progress. A top-four finish with a trophy could well be considered a successful season.

However, for the future campaigns, they could do with a player of high experience like Fabregas in their squad.

Having already spent a lot of time with the Gunners before, the 30-year-old knows about the expectations and the atmosphere at the club.