Some in, some out, but it’s all about Cesc

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It’s back, and he’s back.

That international week – make that fortnight – really was interminable. But here we all are again, and while I can’t speak for you, personally I’m raring to go.

The big news for tomorrow is that Fabregas is back. The little man really is a big player for us – creating, making space, dressing like a hoodlum – so it’s a joy to have him back after almost four months out.

A few weeks back, his return would have been even more eagerly anticipated, but fortunately our Arshavin-inspired improvement has allowed us to talk about other things than Cesc Fabregas, Spitgate notwithstanding.

Funnily enough, our record in his absence has not been bad, with seven league wins, six draws and no defeats. But those draws have been costly, with four of them being goalless, and while it remains speculation, a fit and buzzing Fabregas might well have made a difference in that regard.

But that’s just the thing: Fabregas, when he got injured, had the burden of creativity on his shoulders alone, and coupled with having played throughout the summer, he looked spent. As was pointed out at the time across the blogs and even by himself, he needed a break and in that regard, the injury was no bad thing.

What I sincerely hope and presume we will get for our Cesc-free hiatus is Fabregas at his best – scoring goals, dictating the pace of the game and generally enjoying his football.

Even without the injured van Persie, Diaby and Eduardo, we’ve got a lot of attacking talent at our disposal with Walcott, Adebayor and Fabregas returning.

Arshavin, meet Fabregas.

Fabregas, this is Arshavin.

How will those two lightning-fast footballing minds click? I can’t wait to find out, I must say.

Man City, our guests, were of course the last team to beat us in the league when we were – frankly speaking – twatted 3-0 on the 22nd November. For a side that has embarked on a liberal sprinkling of cash, their away record is abject, with no wins in 13 away games and only one all season on their travels.

All the more reason to be careful if you ask me, especially after a two-week break when it can sometimes take a while for a team to get back into the swing of things.

More pre-match stats and facts here.

Happy weekend, folks.

Jim

Arsenal since about 1979. Thick, thin and all that.