Fàbregas started playing his club football at FC Barcelona. During his youth career, he was played mostly as a volante (defensive midfielder), yet he was also a prolific scorer, sometimes scoring more than 30 goals in a season.
However, he did not play a first-team game at the Camp Nou. Sensing that he would have limited opportunites at Barcelona if he stayed, he decided to join Arsenal, signing for the London club on 11 September 2003.
Initially, he found life difficult in England's capital but soon struck a friendship with team-mate Philippe Senderos, who helped him settle down. As a 16-year-old, Fàbregas did not even think about breaking into the first team but looked up to his seniors Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva, while concentrating on training and learning the English language.He made his début not long after, on October 23, 2003, in a League Cup tie at home to Rotherham United. In doing so he became Arsenal's youngest-ever first-team player, aged 16 years and 177 days.
He then became the youngest goalscorer in Arsenal's history in a later round of the League Cup, scoring from close range in a 5-1 victory against Wolves. Although Arsenal went on to win the league unbeaten in the 2003-04 season, Fàbregas was not given a winner's medal because he did not play in a single league game.
Fàbregas takes a shot at goal in a game against Sheffield United in 2006.It was not until the start of the 2004-05 season that the Spaniard started making first-team appearances in matches outside the League Cup. His first match of the season was against Manchester United in the Community Shield. Following an injury to Vieira, Fàbregas stepped in and made four consecutive Premier League starts.
Fabregas in action for Arsenal
He earned praise for his performances in those games, even claiming a goal against Blackburn Rovers in a 3-0 victory, and becoming Arsenal's youngest ever goalscorer in a league game. With further injuries to Edu and Gilberto Silva, more playing time in all competitions was extended to the teenager. In the UEFA Champions League, he became the second-youngest goalscorer in the competition's history after scoring the third goal against Rosenborg in a 5-1 victory.
He concluded his season by winning his first honours with Arsenal when he was in the starting eleven that defeated Manchester United on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup Final.
After the departure of Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira to Juventus, Fàbregas featured regularly in the Arsenal central midfield alongside Gilberto Silva. Inheriting the number 4 jersey from Vieira, he made 49 appearances in all competitions during the 2005-06 season.
Despite his young age, given that he was establishing himself as a regular in the side, his performances came under greater scrutiny. Possessing a smaller frame and playing with less aggression than Vieira, there were initially doubts over his ability to fill in the void left by the Frenchman. Nevertheless, Fàbregas asserted his own style of play and impressed pundits in the Champions League against Real Madrid and Juventus.
In the latter, he scored Arsenal's first goal and set up Thierry Henry for the second,[16] at the same time proving that he could hold his own against tough, hard-tackling midfielders like Vieira. He then played in the final against his former club Barcelona, but Arsenal were defeated 1-2, completing a trophyless 2005-06 campaign for Arsenal.
