Arshavin or Cesc? Who is the more deserving for the Ballon D’or?

At the Euro 2008 Semi Final, I love this picture! Thanks to whoever who took it.

Two of Arsenal’s holy trinity have been nominated for this prestigious award. The third component of this trinity, Robin van Persie  curiously has been ignored.  Since November 2008, Robin has been the most consistent Gooner full stop. You only have to see how disjointed we looked when he came off against Alkmaar.

28 other candidates have been nominated besides Fabregas and Arshavin. In case you don’t know, the Ballon D’or is awarded to the player who performed the best over the year. And by that token alone, I can’t find any undeserving players in that list. The newspapers, the bookmakers and so forth have already made Ronaldo and Messi the favourites to win it. But does that mean we shouldn’t talk up our Gooners stars? And given that no Arsenal player has ever won it before, it is imperative to do a PR job service.

So why does Arshavin deserve it?

This is the second year in a row he has been nominated. That speaks volumes of his consistency. To be nominated especially after playing all of 2008 in the Russian league, the sixth biggest European league you have to be pretty damn good. In the summer last year he single handedly took out the Netherlands, the Euro 2008 favourites. And that takes some beating.

Then of course he signed for us in 2009 with massive expectations on his shoulders. How he delivered! His roll-up-the-sleeves attitude gave everyone connected with the club a boost. And lest we forget, 4 goals against a Champions League calibre opposition in Liverpool, that too on their patch takes some beating. Has made a quite if not steady start so far this season.

That was about the Russian. What about Captain Fabregas?

Captain of a Champions League team at 22. It says it all doesn’t it? Like Arshavin, Cesc was nominated also in 2008. He didn’t get as many votes last year and you might not like this fact but he  received fewer votes than the guy who was at our club last year, the one who liked money and spoke too fast. At this point I question the credibility of this award but that is neither here or there. Unlike Arshavin, Cesc won the Euro 2008, even converting the decisive penalty against Italy in the quarter final. (Harder than you think, just ask the England national team).

His form dipped a little in the league season, maybe due to tiredness or extra responsibility or even both. But he stepped up his act when he was made captain in November. Injury ruled him out for a few months but since he returned in April, he has been involved in roughly half of our goals (don’t quote me on this), either in assists or goals.

Although I said the Ballon d’Or goes to the best player over the year, it is my sincere request to the panel of journalists to not award to players who have set a bad example off the field. Things like throwing tantrums, talking about joining another club etc etc. So by that process I’m already eliminating Ronaldo, Drogba and Rooney. And just like that family men like Arshavin and Fabregas become more deserving candidates.

But what do you think? Who deserves the Ballon D’or out of Arshavin and Fabregas? And putting aside the gooner shades, who really deserves it? And if you can avoid the nostalgic vote for Thierry Henry.

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