Arsenal's top 5 academy graduates

#2 Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas became one of Arsenal's best midfielders after joining their academy from Barcelona

Okay, so technically speaking, Cesc Fabregas could also be classed as a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, as he began his career in Catalonia and played for them from the age of 10. But despite breaking into Arsenal’s senior team at the age of just 16, he still had plenty to learn, and a lot of his footballing education came in North London following his move to the club at the age of 15, meaning he qualifies for this list.

Fabregas famously became Arsenal’s youngest ever player when he debuted in an EFL Cup match at the age of just 16 years and 177 days, and although it took him some time to settle into the English game, by the end of 2004-05 he was renowned as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders – winning his first trophy by helping Arsenal to defeat bitter rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

In 2011, following months of media speculation, the Spaniard – who had by that stage won Arsenal’s Player of the Year award twice – moved back to Barcelona for a fee of €29m, and went onto further success there, winning a La Liga title in 2012-13.

Three seasons later, he came back to England, but rather than heading back to the Emirates, he instead moved to Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea – angering Gunners fans in the process.

It was hard to argue with his decision, though; Fabregas ended up winning two Premier League titles, another FA Cup, and the UEFA Europa League with the Blues, before moving onto French side Monaco in January 2019.

Regardless of how Arsenal fans might feel about him today then, there’s no disputing that the Spanish midfield maestro remains one of the Gunners’ best ever academy products.