When Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal many predicted he would have to spend his fair share of time on the sidelines, and there is unlikely a midfielder in the world who would not find it easy to dislodge Xavi or Andres Iniesta from the starting line-up.
Fabregas did have a very goof start to Barcelona life, scoring regularly, but his form trailed off at the end of last season, and so far this campaign he is yet to complete 90 minutes. Despite the potential drawbacks of sitting on the bench, the lure of working under Pep Guardiola was too good to turn down.
Now with new boss Tito Vilanova in charge, things are not running so smoothly, with Cesc already voicing his discontent.
"I've always said that I play for the best team in the world, but I came here to compete, to learn and enjoy, not to sit wracking my brains.
"The manager knows what I can offer. But across the three positions that I can play, I am competing with the three best players in the world.
"I'm delighted to be a part of this team but when a coach tells me I have to go, I'll go."
So here is a theoretical question for you- If they were told they could just have one, who would Arsenal rather have in their team?
Cesc Fabregas or Santi Cazorla?
Fabregas is 25, Cazorla 27. Cazorla is more attacking in nature, while Fabregas prefers to play deeper. Cazorla is just getting started in the Premier League, and looks to be adapting excellently already, but Fabregas is proven.
At the same time, Fabregas never won anything with Arsenal, who knows where Cazorla could take them? Conversely Fabregas would return a better player than he left, thanks to his time playing alongside Xavi and Iniesta and working under the revered Pep Guardiola.
The big drawback counting against the Barcelona player is that he has already walked out on Arsenal once, while Cazorla seems to have a bit more brawn about him and doesn't seem put off by the physical nature of the Premier League already.
It makes for a fascinating debate, and we'd be interested to hear you views on which player you would rather have at the club. Vote in our poll below:
And consider this, Wenger still has a pot of money from the sale of Alex Song to put towards a transfer, what about Cazorla and Fabregas in the same side...
Who would you rather have at the heart of Arsenal's midfielder? Cesc Fabregas or Santi Cazorla? Let us know your choice and why...
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
Dan Coombs
@hitcdancoombsGoogle+more stories from Dan Coombs
Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.
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