Cesc Fabregas, lured away from Barcelona where he was youth team captain at 15, finally came of age during the comprehensive 2-0 Champions League quarterfinal win over Juventus on Tuesday.
Captain Thierry Henry, who made the first goal for Fabregas and scored the second himself off a pass from the young Spaniard, says: ”He is only 18 but he is old in the head.”
Arsenal’s best performance in Europe was a feast accompanied by a delicious spread of ironies.
Their former captain, Patrick Vieira, sold to Juventus amid much controversy for £12-million last year, was booked for a foul on the tumbling genius José Reyes and will miss the still-fraught return leg at the Stadio Delle Alpi on Wednesday.
His replacement in the heart of the Arsenal midfield, Fabregas, said afterwards: ”Am I sad Patrick is out of the second game? No, because he is a fantastic player. They wouldn’t have felt sorry for me.”
On Wednesday, Spanish outsiders Villarreal scored a vital away goal in a 2-1 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro. If Arsenal go through, they get the winners of that one in the semis.
Then there’s Barcelona, of course. The Spanish La Liga leaders, who dealt so easily with Chelsea, could only manage a 0-0 draw at Benfica’s Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
AC Milan did the same against French leaders Lyon — who failed to score for the first time in 20 games — leaving the other semi wide open.
Meanwhile, back in England:
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
David O’Leary’s underperformers remain in trouble uncomfortably close to the drop zone.
Verdict: Arsenal 2 Villa 0
Brum vs Chelsea
Steve Bruce remains on the brink. Beaten 7-0 by Liverpool and 3-0 at Manchester United, they now entertain Chelsea and the controversial, diving, handling, goal-getter Didier Drogba — who may be eager to prove he can score legally. Ouch.
Verdict: Birmingham 0 Chelsea 2
Bolton vs Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to leave goal machine Ruud van Nistelrooy languishing on the bench for six games seems to have worked. The Dutchman’s 45th-minute goal sunk West Ham 1-0 on Wednesday. Sam Allardyce’s Bolton aren’t quite what they were last season.
Verdict: Bolton 1 Man U 3
Everton vs Sunderland
Sunderland are apparently furious about suggestions that they are in someway hopeless, doomed or useless — or a combination of the three. Of course, this column wouldn’t dream of drawing such conclusions from their current position a zillion points adrift at the foot of the Premiership.
Verdict: Everton 2 Sunderland 1
Fulham vs Pompey
Fulham have the quality but have lost the major investment once poured in liberally by Mohammed al Fayed. Portsmouth have yet to benefit fully from the largesse of co-owner Alex Gaydamak. Pompey have the brighter future but Fulham look more likely to survive.
Verdict: Fulham 1 Portsmouth 1
Newcastle vs Spurs
Glenn Roeder’s hopes of securing the Geordie job full time have gone the same way as his hopes a couple of years ago of staying in charge of West Ham. Spurs, battling for a first Champions League qualification, might thwart their ambition.
Verdict: Newcastle 2 Spurs 2
WBA vs Liverpool
Bryan Robson’s Baggies made the Great Escape last season and they may need something similar this term, starting with a miraculous win against Liverpool. It’s unlikely, given the Reds’ recent form.
Verdict: West Brom 0 Liverpool 1
Man City vs Boro
Steve McClaren can enhance his diminishing stature with success in the Uefa or FA Cups. But he needs a few Premiership points first — or, like Robson when he was at Middlesbrough, he’ll end up with two cup loser’s medals and relegation.
Verdict: City 2 Boro 1
West Ham vs Charlton
Two clubs with significant FA Cup ambitions might find this an unnecessary distraction.
Verdict: West Ham 0 Charlton 0
Blackburn vs Wigan
Blackburn have the potential to go further under Mark Hughes and his win-at-all-costs strategy. Wigan? Not so sure.
Verdict: Blackburn 1 Wigan 0