Six of the best: Cesc Fabregas run-ins
Fabregas v Groves
Following Groves’ assertion on Drive Time that Arsene Wenger should sell his captain in order to buy two natural leaders in the summer, Fabregas retorted by tweeting “Perry Grove. What a legend.” Well aware of the fiery Spaniard’s reputation, Groves attempted to distinguish the incident by telling talkSPORT “I’m just delighted to know that Cesc knows who I am.”
Fabregas v Mark Hughes
After a frustrating FA Cup tie against Blackburn in 2007 Fabregas could be seen exchanging angry words with Mark Hughes. When asked what had been said, Hughes explained: "When we shook hands at the end, the young man asked me a question which I thought was disrespectful. He asked me if I had played for Barcelona and when I said yes, he shook his head as if in disbelief. Then he said, 'Well, that wasn't Barcelona football'."
Fabregas v Fergie
To say Fabregas has previous is an understatement. As a raw 17-year-old he notoriously proved his rucking credentials by allegedly launching a slice of pepperoni pizza at Fergie himself, after Arsenal lost their 49 game unbeaten streak to Manchester United.
Fabregas v Ipswich Town
When Arsenal lost 1-0 to Ipswich in the Carling Cup semi-final this season Fabregas angrily claimed: "I don't know if it was a long ball or a rugby kick that beat us but a lot of teams in England play like that to create their chances. Arsenal played football but the other team refused to play and were lucky to score with a long ball.” Bitter, much?
Fabregas v Brian Horton
Even when he’s not playing he’s able to get involved somehow. Following Arsenal’s FA Cup quarter-final against Hull last season, Fabregas was alleged to have spat at the feet of Tigers’ assistant manager Brian Horton, with Phil Brown saying: “The pictures in the national papers verify the aggression he was showing towards players and staff after the game.” Brown continued: “I then witnessed him going down the tunnel and turning around and spitting at my assistant manager’s feet." Fabregas denied this, but it was more aggro for the Spaniard.
Fabregas v David Moyes
And it seems where Fabregas’ wrath is involved not even match officials are safe. When Louis Saha’s controversial opening goal was allowed to stand against Arsenal earlier this season, the Spaniard had a strong word or two with Lee Mason at half-time, leading Everton boss Moyes to rant: "I'm not going to repeat them. They’re disappointing comments from such a talented footballer. They were deserving of a sending off, 100 per cent. If he'd said them on the pitch he would have been off like that. We heard it. Why should it be any different in the tunnel?”