Cesc Fabregas - Visionary

Not since Liam Brady have we seen an Arsenal team graced with such a visionary. I never thought that I would again see a player not just commanding the field of play throughout the 90 minutes but one who instinctively knew where the next measured pass should go.

From the time I first saw Cesc Fabregas play for Arsenal, over years ago, in a Carling Cup match, I knew that we had found a rare talent. - and the successor to Brady. Within minutes you could see that almost every player passed the ball through him, he was totally composed and I felt an inner excitement at watching him play. I instantly recognised the new Brady - for a 16 year old he was fantastic, but could he sustain his talent, or would it, as in so many cases, disappear by the time he was 19 or 20?

Now we know - and he continues to grow into the complete footballer with every passing month. His work rate is phenomenal, his skills a joy to watch - including his uncanny ability to find colleagues anywhere on the pitch with perfectly weighted passes - his character and his desire to win mark him out as a leader, even at this stage in his career.

We are privileged to be able to watch him week in and week out, and for all of this we have to thank Arsene Wenger, surely the finest manager in the club's history, together with Liam Brady and his team who have nurtured Cesc's talents and imbued him with the true Arsenal spirit.

He has thrived on the way all Arsenal teams now play - a game based on flair and speed, and we can only relish the coming seasons with the talented players we now have throughout the club. May Cesc Fabregas continue his glittering career with 'The Arsenal' - may he continue to light up the greyest day, providing such abundant pleasure for all who watch him.