The selling point of Arsenal’s final pre-season fixture this summer, if you don’t count the Community Shield as one, is Cesc Fabregas returning to the Emirates.Because the 39-year-old didn’t possess his Pro Licence at the time, he wasn’t officially titled Como manager the year they got promoted, but essentially the Spaniard has led the club into Serie A all the way to the Champions League since taking over in July 2023, while most in Italy say his side play some of the most attractive football.He’s used his friendship with Mikel Arteta to arrange this friendly. It can’t hurt either that the Italian club’s minority owner and shareholder is a certain Thierry Henry.Henry, of course, is an Invincible. Twenty-two years later, Mikel Arteta ended our title drought.But what about those in between?Was Fabregas right to leave Arsenal?It always seemed harsh that Cesc Fabregas only had an FA Cup medal to show for his time in North London.The truth is, it would have been an insult had someone so good not lifted major trophies.While some Gooners won’t forgive how he eventually forced through his transfer, I believe two things.Having been a Gunner for eight years, he really wanted to realise his ambitions with us but knew that wasn’t going to happen.Secondly, he had been at La Masia since the age of 10. So when you move a 16-year-old from Spain to England, you know that one day playing for Barcelona will be an itch most would want to scratch.At 24, the midfielder did what he felt had to be done to make his dream come true. Those methods might be why you hear jeers on Wednesday night.Why you might hear cheers is that it turned out he was correct that Arsenal couldn’t match his ambitions at the time. We would quickly learn how much the debt from building a new stadium was restricting us off the pitch.Could Cesc have been more professional in his last few days before leaving? Yes.Does that mean he was wrong about the direction of our club? No.Both can be true.I also believe he’s genuine when he says that if it were anyone else but his boyhood club, he would have stayed.(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)What happened when Fabregas wanted to return?That’s why all parties included a first-option clause in his Barca deal, meaning the moment Fabregas left the Nou Camp, his former club had to be invited to match any bid.The World Cup winner made it clear to Arsenal that returning was their client’s preference.Not only did Ivan Gazidis let the week deadline expire, Fabregas was hurt that no one from Arsenal even had the courtesy to call back.Mr Wenger later admitted he was trying to set an example to his current group, that if you left and the grass didn’t prove greener, you couldn’t just think it would be easy to come back.Yet that could have been communicated.It’s an example of how our club was being run at the time and is why a portion of our fanbase are not as hostile as others that, when he did live again in the English capital, it was at Chelsea.As things stand, I would have him as our next boss, so that tells you what I think about him.Some of my peers can’t forget the manner in which he departed and the sight of him lifting silverware in a blue shirt. That’s their right.Based purely on ability, though, is he one of the very best to play for Arsenal at the Emirates?Dan SmithWhat reaction will you give Fabregas this week? Cheers, jeers or something in between? And does “once a Gunner, always a Gunner” apply to Cesc? Let us know in the comments._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsCheers or Jeers? Fabregas Returns to the Emirates as Como Boss11 August 2026, 22:00Why Nico Williams is probably not the player Arsenal needs now11 August 2026, 20:45Man Utd leading Arsenal in the race for League One teenager11 August 2026, 19:30The post Cheers or Jeers? Fabregas Returns to the Emirates as Como Boss appeared first on Just Arsenal News.