Cesc Fàbregas • Evolving role under Arsène Wenger at Arsenal • Masterclass 

The 07/08 Arsenal team was just fun to watch, the passing and movement of that team was electric

That midfield quartet of Cesc Fabregas, Matthieu Flamini, Thomas Rosicky and Alexander Hleb was one of the best I’ve seen in EPL. Shame it only lasted one season.

Could listen to him talk about that 07/08 team for hours. He knew how special that group was.

"Rosický was injured, sometimes". Quite an understatement. We missed "little Mozart" in so many games. A real shame, because he was absolutely wonderful to watch.

One of our greatest midfielders ever, thank you for serving us Cesc. An Icon to be sure.

When he scored against Spurs just after they kicked off 😂 what an amazing solo goal

Fascinating watch. That 07/08 side in my opinion would have won the Premier League if not for the Rosicky and Eduardo injuries.

Imagine being 16 and breaking into the Invincibles team.!!??? Cesc was one of the few prodigies in Football who actually lived up to his hype and even exceeded expectations. Cesc at Arsenal was a very Special player.👏

Can completely see what Cesc means about enjoying the 08/09 team more. The Invincibles & the 98 side were definitely the most affective Wenger sides but the midfield quartet of Rosicky, Fabregas, Flamini & Hleb were a joy to watch.

It broke my heart when he was sold and later going to Chelsea. I’m only forgiving him now slowly and nostalgic and emotional about those days of having him, help, the little Mozart etc. Loved them.

07/08 was the only year nearly all the players stayed fit. The rest of the time Van Persie, Diaby and Rosicky were out for 5 or 6 months at a time after that season. The amount of injuries was actually ridiculous. Then Fabregas started to get injured then everyone else for some reason: Wilshere, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Ramsey etc. Without injuries Arsenal could have won the Premier League. Also if the spending wasn't restricted we can only imagine what Arsene Wenger could have achieved with the sort of money Chelsea were spending at that time. Arsenal only lost out on Cristiano Ronaldo to Man Utd because they couldn't out bid them for example.

Wow I could listen to Cesc all day

I wonder if arsenal have considered getting him on board for their youth academy the wealth of knowledge he could provide to youngsters is invaluable

One of the only midfielders who could play as a false 9, a 10, an 8 and a regista at an elite level. Had the most assists and chances created from 2007-2011 in EUROPE. This when Messi, Ronaldo etc were playing. 2nd most assists in premier league history, despite Giggs playing for an extra 10 years. Gundogan is a Cesc regen, Pep even said this.

One of the best and my favorite arsenal players

This is the player that made me love arsenal

It was a joy to watch him play with RvP

When Messi and Fabregas both played false 9 under Pep is one of the best football i've seen, ever. It's just out of this world

A top skipper would never be forgotten.

Wow great video!!! We need more players to talk about there careers this way..... #57 #15 #4 Fabregas numbers with Arsenal.....

Massive respect to Cesc. Arsenal fans like to call him a snake just because he moved to a rival club, but the truth is at that time he had no other choice and, despite achieving more at Chelsea, never spoke ill about Arsenal.

Thank you Cesc :)

At first glance, it feels like the way football (at least in England) has changed is we have the amount of quality players increase since say, Cesk's time at Arsenal. I had this thought because back then all of the good players were clustered in the top 4 to 6 clubs and most of the teams below 10th place were cannon fodder. But today you have Coutinho at Villa, Toney at Brentford, Zaha at Palace etc. So the quality players while still mostly occupying the top teams, since now there are more of them, the lower teams can buy some too. But on second thought, it seems that this is mostly wrong. The way football has actually changed is that quality of the coaches has improved. And perhaps even more crucially, they have the technology and stats available to spot a player who is not that good for other coaches and positions, but for this particular coach and this particular position, he is world class. But move his position half a meter back and he is completely useless (a little hyperbole for ya). So even if he doesn't have the technique of De Bruyne, if put in the right system, he can contribute as much, if not more than the City star. So as a result we have many players overachieving because the coaches understand them, and the players understand the coaches' system. But when they move on to another coach and system, they can't come even close to the same output. This came to me after watching clips of players like Rosicky and Hleb recently. Their technique is absolutely amazing and nobody at Arsenal today except maybe Pepe or Odegaard has a world class technique. Remember Carlos Vela's finishing? Haaland's finishing is worse than Vela's (absolutely zero hyperbole here)! And Pepe can't even come close to the first team at Arsenal right now. When Pepe touches the ball, you can almost see Thierry Henry or Van Persie in those moves, but he doesn't track back and doesn't get Arteta's system. 20 years ago Pepe would have been what Mbappe is now. But this is why De Bruyne looks so graceful, because there aren't many players like him (even at City) in the present and Arsenal had like 4-5 of them back then. De Bruyne's technique is world class AND he is intelligent enough and athletic enough to play in any modern midfield position and run as much as the position requires him to do. Just compare Jesus to vPersie and you will see what I mean. Van Persie is miles better than Jesus when it comes to technique in dribbling, shooting etc. Van Persie WAS world class, Jesus is not even close. But today it's all about systems and whether a player can fit into that system. So that is why Ozil's world class skills have expired. Jesus runs more, so he is more useful and therefore better? than Ozil today. So not only are there NOT more of the quality players, but the ones we do have are not as useful. Today you need to be intelligent, athletic and then maybe have good technique. There is another long rant in me about these attributes and combinations therein, but I'll leave it for another time. While I love watching my team, Arsenal, I still get frustrated on a daily basis when players like Saka or Odegaard will kick the ball in the stands when a Pepe or a Van Persie would have made a hole in the net (the RIGHT side of the net!). You see it when they can't control the ball sometimes and can't play that well in tight spaces when Rosicky, Hleb, Nasri and Cesk would have created a chance out of a situation where Xhaka (zero technique!) and Partey lose the ball. I am sure what I've said up there is quite understandable if not eloquent and I am very curious of anybody's opinion on the matter. Don't you miss those Cesk days?

All the music interlude. I need them.

One legend talking about another legend showing that modern day legendary managers are just copying what the OG legend was doing a decade before the rest. Its all about overloads and inverted play these days.

6:12 RESTDEFENCE If you listen carefully you can hear a certain Goblin King climaxing

Can't believe bro said Rosicky used to be injured 'sometimes'. Most times actually😆 Great insight nevertheless!

The combination of him, Hazard, Willian, and Diego Costa are what originally made me fall in love with football and Chelsea when I started watching

Regardless of trophies, if you don’t like that Arsenal team from 2005-2008 then you just don’t like football

When I saw the thumbnail I thought he was doing a DJ set

want to watch role at chelsea too ! ! !

"good morning my neighbours !"....

Wenger is one of the most disrespected manager at the very top of top tier football

სიტუაცია - დიმა ობოლაძესთან ერთად კომენტირებ თამაშს

‘Arsene Wenger obsessed playing forward’ That’s why he never gave importance to defence after invincibles

Arsene Wenger's tactical knowledge was/is massively underrated I swear the man made stars every season of his entire Arsenal career what a coach/manager dearly missed by real football fans

Back in 2007, I first discovered football, and Arsenal's style of play blew me away. They showed me that football could be simple yet exhilarating. I even ditched five years of cricket training overnight just to get a pair of boots and start playing football the very next day. It's been an incredible 16-year journey as a Gooner, and I can honestly say it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Looking back, running freely on the field, the sense of togetherness among teammates, and the camaraderie were what made it all so special. Fast forward to today, I'm 32 years old, and my passion for football hasn't waned one bit. Every morning, I eagerly wake up to watch football coaching videos, determined to keep improving my game. Football has brought so much joy and contentment into my life, and I'm grateful for the memories and all the people I have met along the way.

I guess the 2 biggest regrets of the Wenger area are (1) not winning the Champions League 2005-06 & (2) EPL 2007-08

What an education he had. Coming through La Masia, and then as a kid at arsenal, for his first full senior season having Patrick Vieira, Gilberto Silva and Edu to play with and learn from.

Remember when Cesc took that penalty when he broke his leg during the game. He hobbled along and still managed to score if I remember correctly. He literally gave everything for our club during them years. He was the catalyst for everything good

Cesc should make a good manager in the future. Great understanding of the game and played under Wenger, Guardiola, Mouirnho, Conte

Best Spanish born and raised English speaker in the prem by far!

La masia graduate leaving Spain at 16 and breaking into what was an elite Arsenal side. Starting in an FA cup final at 18 and Champions League final at 19. Then going on to captain the club at 21. Cesc’s evolution as ‘young pretender’ to genuine world class player was the stuff of dreams.

Fabregas was incredible to watch.. one of my all time favourite Arsenal players

Whatever happened in that 06-10 period results wise , the football that we played was sublime. Papa Wenger really spoiled us with the style of play.

Im glad he pointed that out of Flamini playing at left-back back then for the people who say pep invented the inverted left-back

Great timing to release this video just as he's announced his retirement. Thank you Cesc for everything, you legend, one of the best passers this game has ever seen 💜💜

This got me emotional. We played some good football and competed, but we always broke when it counted. Fabregas will always be my favorite player and Im genuinely happy he found success outside the club.

Cesc Fabregas talking about the best manager in football Arsene Wenger. They were my heroes growing up. Thank you for this episode ❤

One of my favorite players. Not to suggest he isn't skilled, but he played with his brain first and his body second, and I enjoy these kinds of players. Well spoken and humble guy too. Amazing passer.

Played under Wenger and Pep and chucked some pizza at Fergie, a truly great coaching apprenticeship.

Great player Cesc. I was gutted they didnt strengthen when he was at his peak. Barca came calling and he seemed a bit disillusioned at Arsenal. He was playing with players who didnt deserve to be playing alongside him. PS ...Vieira/Fabregas midfield axis didn't work. Vieira could do a job as a DMF but he was much more effective box to box. He had to sit to allow Cesc more freedom as he was more foward thinking and less defensive than Vieira.

should have won the ucl with arsenal. got very unlucky with the offside eto goal

Fabregas will always be my best CM of all time...he played some good eye catching football that made me love him. Especially with nasri coming in, the tiki taka was immense. Fabregas you're the best

cesc is like the Ex that just wont stop talking about you once you wont take them back 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

man knows ball. this is how he survived as a footballer although he didn't have the pace or stature to become one he managed to have one of the most successive careers in european football, so underrated

This guy won stuff with Barca and Chelsea but still talks most Abt Arsenal

The effect Mourinho had on English football is crazy, since he introduced the 4-3-3 and walked the league in his first season (2004-2005) both Wenger and Sir Alex switched from their 4-4-2 that they have been using for years, it’s no coincidence.

magical player, head on a swivel never had to look at the ball, would have been the best ever pl midfielder, went to barca where he was waisted constantly changing positions, false 9 etc as pep tried to shoe horn him in, lost a bit of that sparkle in his eye as it never worked with that barca settled midfield, was still good enough to win the league with chelsea and produce moments of class, but wenger saw he was never the same player after that spell in barca, still elite but at arsenal the heavens bowed to his creativity, awareness and execution..

Wenger using a box midfield before it was mainstream😎

Apart of me won't ever forgive Wenger for selling him, then not brining him back in 2016 when he was AMAZING for Chelsea to win the league, without him they wouldn't of won it smh

Football itself alone is not fair for not giving Arsene Wenger a CL trophy 😭😭😭

Wenger neglected the defence and broke up the Invincibles way too soon. The 07/08 side was overrated and bottled the league. Will never forgive them for their capitulation at Birmingham. We had no leaders, the defending was terrible and Wenger preferred to play pretty football rather than win. He should’ve been sacked after 08.

This video sum up all arsenal tactical problem during last few years of wenger era. You can't have all players move in to the center to break low block.

Fabregas should replace Arteta, he’ll bring WengerBall back, tired of these robots coaches ruining football

notice that mikel arteta also said the same abt great players scanned abt 15-20 before receiving the ball. odegaard is the player in current arsenal squad who can do that

Arsenal fan. Anyone giving Cesc a hard time doesn't know his history. Over 300 appearances for Arsenal (youngest ever first team player aged 16), won a trophy (FA Cup 2005), captain of the football club, and crucial in our run to the Champions League final (2006). Went back to his boyhood club Barcelona (when they were peak Messi / Iniesta era). Wanted to re-sign for us - ahead of Chelsea - but Wenger was too stubborn / had unreasonable faith in players that were injury prone (Diaby) inconsistent (Coquelin) or too old (Flamini).

Barca or not, Cesc has the true DNA of Arsenal.

Rosicky used to be injured sometimes Underselling that a bit cesc lol. This is quite bittersweet. Was my idol growing up, now I just remember him being incredible, but don’t have the same fondness as a lot of ex players. Forced his way out, missed training to go to F1, the Barcelona shirt at the euros or World Cup or whatever… he’ll always be one of the best players, but that’s it unfortunately

Those Arsenal teams were one accomplished water carrier and sometimes a goalkeeper away from accomplishing their ultimate goals. Flamini bolting after Arsene persisted with him over Diara really killed Arsenal. All those years refusing to upgrade Almunia into a better keeper similarly fatal...

One of my favourite ever players, and i'm a liverpool fan. tried to model my own game after him haha. brilliant player. hope there's a chelsea vid coming. The fabregas/costa link-up was elite.

Should've signed this man in 2014..

Arsenal of 2005 to 2008 was the best football you can see visually and tactically, it was a shame we missed winning league twice and thechampions league final was a fraud

Even though Cesc had the best individual stats in his last 4 years at Arsenal, but I still think he played his best football when he played a bit deep as the brain of the team (i.e. season 07/08)

When I teach young players scanning I always used Fabregas.

Great video as always, just a little suggestion that I think would really bring the explanations to life: Could you include small video clips of the examples of things they are talking about? For example Cesc talks about his role as a number 10 towards the end and how intelligent Ade and RVP's runs were in the box and they scored a lot of goals off that. If there was just a 7 second clip of one such goal then it would really bring the whole thing to life. Same goes for the videos in which managers are talking about/analysing specific games. Thanks!

cesc is my only favorite player, forever💪

Sometimes ppl forget that footballers know and understand this beautiful game like no other..the insights..the analysis..the system yeah..they really know

Seeing Arteta's style of play it does remind me a lot of what Cesc talks about with Wenger. Having Arserne and Pep as a mentor, I can see him doing much better in future. He eats and sleeps football. A perfectionist. I think we are in good hands. You can also see it with the Veira's as the Kompany's of this world, their understanding of the game is next level. They are the future Roy Hodgen's of the PL.

This is oodegaard in a few years

When Cesc describes staying in no man’s land when defending, that is what Messi perfected You can’t do that in a klopp team tho

I was still mad at you until hearing you this season, happy to watch your history from the tactical POV.

El Capitan!!! It hurt when you won the League with Chelsea...but a legend nonetheless

Such an amazing player and so much knowledge. Could listen to him and Xabi all day

cesc really owes Wenger everything....which EPL manager today will start a 15 year old in big games like he did for cesc?

Only if Wenger had secured that 18yr old Portuguese wonder boy in 2003. In fact, Guardiola copied his blueprints and created that 08-13 Barca. The only difference was that Argentinian demon on RW (and some bribes here&there😂) Young CR,Prime Henry and Fabregas behind them is the rocket Wenger envisioned to build, but owners wanted a fokin stadium.

pretty sure he will be a great coach

Please join Arsenal as a coach brav!!!! Like permanently though not what you're currently doing coachingtthe U21's.

Fabregas was/is my model midfielder. He is one of the best ever in my view. He will always find a way into my best 11 of all time. I'd play him in a midfield trio along with Zidane and Gullit. He broke my heart leaving for Barca and moreso leaving for Chelsea.😢 He might have won trophies, but his stocks fell after leaving Arsenal.

Cesc wen I was young I loved u lots you were my best coz it's u who I could get to see basing on my age but wen u added money to fund your move you lost a place in ma heart just knw u made a record in world soccer the Rvp also betrayed me.

How to stab your loyal manager in the back. Snake tactics.

Just Masterpiece!

How Arsene allowed him to join Chelsea by not exercising that buy back option from Barca, i will never understand.

If Cesc stayed at Arsenal it would have been his team and everything built around him. He would have been an Arsenal legend on par with Henry. I don't know if he would have won any trophies at Arsenal if he had stayed on though.

Kids come up to me and say Wenger achieved nothing because he couldn't win Arsenal the UCL.

Cesc tore down everything Wenger had built at the clubs most critical and vulnerable moment, setting the club back over a decade due to the fall-out - all to warm the bench at Barcelona and end up at Chelsea.

So much good work from the players, the boss and the coaching staff. A very underrated period

I think this are the best videos, the side of the player. Cause young players Can Learn all these type of stuff. Nice video

Arsenal was the foundation to how barcelona played the passing game under guardiola.

I love this channel, but I think subtitles in other languages ​​would be perfect