Cesc Fabregas has praised Arsenal's hierarchy for showing 'patience' towards Mikel Arteta and believes the players are fully behind the manager ahead of their Premier League title defence. Fabregas returned to his former club for a friendly on Wednesday night as his Como side held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium before the Gunners won a penalty shootout.
Arsenal will now play Manchester City in the Community Shield this Sunday before beginning the defence of their Premier League title at home to Coventry City on August 21. Fabregas, who made 303 appearances during his time at Arsenal, praised his former club after Como's friendly at the Emirates and claimed that the Italian club are trying to copy certain traits shown by the Gunners in recent years.
Fabregas on Arsenal's long-term project
'Congratulations to the club in general starting from seven, eight years ago when they first started with this project,' Fabregas said. 'Because what you see in football every day, what Arsenal did, especially in the difficult moments, it doesn't exist. I told Edu, I told Andrea (Berta) when I came last year to a Champions League game, I said congratulations to the whole club for the patience, for sticking together, for sticking to the plan when for three years in a row, correct me if I'm wrong, finished eighth, eighth, eighth, fourth year nearly Champions League, it was a big disappointment, Tottenham came, you finish fifth, but you keep going because you have a plan, because you have an objective, because you have progression, you keep going forward.
'We lack this in football today. You lose three games, change the coach, he was playing one style, now you play another, at the end of the day I don't believe in this a lot. I'm very lucky I'm in a project, of course with much lower level, the history, everything, but we're trying to look at the stability Arsenal had, the values, the culture that they are bringing.
Arteta's impact and player support
'I think Mikel has done a tremendous job. So I can only wish them the best, really. Because most of the group, these guys now you talk to them, I don't know… they're good guys, they want to play good football, they are respectful, you can see how they stick to the plan all the time. Really, I'm super happy to come back here and smell this feeling.'
Fabregas's comments highlight the contrast between Arsenal's approach and the short-termism prevalent in modern football. His praise for the club's stability and culture comes as Arsenal prepare to defend their title, with the Community Shield against Manchester City serving as an immediate test.
Looking ahead to the season
Arsenal's title defence begins at home to Coventry City on August 21, a fixture that will be preceded by the Community Shield clash. The club's hierarchy, including Edu and Andrea Berta, have been credited by Fabregas for their long-term vision, which has culminated in a squad that he describes as respectful and committed to the plan.
As Arsenal look to retain their Premier League crown, Fabregas's endorsement of the club's culture and Arteta's leadership underscores the unity within the squad. The friendly against Como, which ended 1-1 before Arsenal won on penalties, served as a pre-season marker, with Fabregas expressing his happiness at returning to the Emirates and witnessing the club's progress firsthand.
