Cesc Fabregas has been back at Arsenal and working with academy coaching staff, with Under-18’s head coach Jack Wilshere thanking the Gunners legend for his input.
Jack Wilshere is coaching Arsenal’s Under-18 side (Picture: Getty Images)
The Spaniard is still playing, turning out for Serie B side Como this season, but he is already turning some of his attention to his post-playing career.
The 35-year-old intends to become a manager and is developing his coaching skills during Como’s winter break by returning to north London.
Wilshere posted a picture of the two former Arsenal midfielders working together and thanked Fabregas for his help, as he praised the Spain international as an invaluable source of football knowledge.
‘Learning from the best football brain I know!’ Wilshere wrote on Instagram.
‘As a player I wish I had the chance to play with this guy for longer but having the chance to pick his brain about certain situations and how he thinks about the game is invaluable. Thank you @cescf4bregas.’
Fabregas replied: ‘Thanks for helping me out man. You are the best.’
Fabregas has already played more this season for Como than he did over the whole of the last campaign with Monaco, making nine Serie B appearances so far.
Arsenal will likely be fielding some academy talents in their next outing, when they go to Oxford United on 9 January in the FA Cup.
The Gunners return to Premier League action in a huge north London derby on 15 January at Tottenham, before hosting Manchester United a week later as they put their title credentials to the test.
Arteta: We try to improve Arsenal squad in every window
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal cannot waste any opportunity to strengthen their small squad as they seek to continue as the Premier League’s pacesetters.
The table-topping Gunners’ title charge suffered a minor setback on Tuesday as they missed the chance to move 10 points clear following a fractious goalless draw with Newcastle.
Manager Arteta has used only 12 players in his three starting XIs since the World Cup, with his options depleted by the injury absences of attacking duo Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe.
The Spaniard, who was furious not to be awarded two second-half penalties in the Magpies stalemate, says the club are working to recruit reinforcements this month.
“It’s something more for Edu (sporting director) and the board to respond to,” said Arteta, who made just one substitution against Eddie Howe’s men, of potential January arrivals.
“We are really trying to improve the squad in every window, this is no different.
“We will try to do our best because we cannot waste any window. We’re still with the squad and the numbers that we had (at the start of the season) but we will try.”
Arsenal dominated possession against third-placed Newcastle but created few clear chances as their 100 per cent home record ended following their first scoreless league outing of the season.
Eddie Nketiah was thwarted by Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope late on, while Arteta said it was “scandalous” that his side were not awarded spot-kicks for Dan Burn’s pull on Gabriel Magalhaes and a possible added-time handball by Jacob Murphy.
The result increased the Gunners’ advantage at the summit to eight points, albeit that lead will be cut to five if reigning champions Manchester City win at Chelsea on Thursday.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka said it was important to put Arsenal’s position in perspective on the back of a frustrating evening at Emirates Stadium.
“We had chances and the small details we missed, but this is part of the game,” the Switzerland international told his club’s website.
“And if someone told us (at the start of the season) that we would be in this position in January, we would sign straight away.
“We have to keep going, keep working on small details and keep focused for the next game.
“After this season, the people expect to win all the games, but this is football.
“It can happen in games like this where we’re not so lucky and small things are missing.
“It’s only a point, of course, but this point could be massive at the end of the season.”
SOURCE: metro.co.uk, hamhigh.co.uk
