Technical ability: They're very similar in terms of technique, but I would say that Jack Wilshere is the best dribbler of these players, he can go past people and take his touch beyond a midfield player to run at the back four. Xavi and Iniesta have great awareness and an ability to ride challenges from their opponents, and they can shield the ball too. Fabregas is probably the best all-round player of the four, as he has a bit of everything: the only thing that lets him down is a lack of electric pace, and that would really make him a great. But the Barcelona pair can see one-touch passes better than anyone and always find their man. They also pressure their opponents, which is an under-rated but very important part of their game.
Barcelona 9 Arsenal 8
Tactical nous: Wilshere is still learning the game, especially the defensive side of things. England coach Fabio Capello recently said that he can play as a holding midfielder, but I don't think he’s ready for that just yet. For me, he still lunges into rash challenges when he should drop off. Likewise, I’m not convinced that Cesc is a great tactician defensively but he is great going forward. The Barcelona pair have been playing together for years and know how to keep the ball, use their movement to find space and know where their team-mates are. Neither of them are defensive players but they put a lot into their defensive game, they do that very well. Their tactical awareness is far greater than the Arsenal pair at the moment.
Barcelona 9 Arsenal 7
Big-game experience: Obviously Xavi (right), Iniesta and Fabregas (left) all played in the World Cup final last summer, and it was Fabregas who passed for Iniesta to score the winning goal, so they have plenty of experience. Fabregas did not play in so many games during the World Cup but when he came on, he made an impact, so he was clearly not overawed by the occasion. Xavi and Iniesta both played when Barcelona won the Champions League in 2009, so they have a lot of experience of this competition: Iniesta scored the crucial goal in the semi-final against Chelsea that year. The only one who has less experience is Wilshere, but this won’t faze him at all, he’s already an England international and he would relish this game and the atmosphere. The same goes for Cesc as well, so this factor won’t have an impact on the midfield duel.
Barcelona 9 Arsenal 9
Self-belief: To be a great player you have to have self-belief and I think three of these guys already are great players, while the fourth is verging on that. Iniesta beat Xavi in the recent World Player of the Year voting and there are a lot of Barcelona fans that I speak to that think Iniesta is better than Xavi. Both of them are humble but as they are so successful, they do have an inner self-confidence, and that comes through as they don't panic when they¹re
chasing a goal. Fabregas is almost a true great and confidence is not an issue with him, while Wilshere will one day be England’s best player, he’s certainly the best technically, since Paul Gascoigne was playing. To be able to play at the level he is now, you have to have great confidence, and his age doesn't come into it.
Barcelona 9 Arsenal 9
Compatability: I would say that Xavi and Iniesta are very similar players, and what makes their system work is that they rely on other players to do other things, like having Lionel Messi going forward and Sergio Busquets as the defensive
midfielder. Whereas I think Wilshere and Fabregas complement each other perfectly: Cesc can pass the ball over long and short distances, he has a swagger and can show arrogance on ball, with his passing an obvious strength. Wilshere, on the other hand, can ghost past people with the ball at his feet, he is a tremendous dribbler and can create chances in the final third, so between them, they have all the bases covered. Just for that, I would say the Arsenal pair has the slight edge in this one.
Barcelona 8 Arsenal 9
TOTALS: Barcelona 44 Arsenal 42
Interview: Ben Lyttleton
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/o1cSrGGO3XA/post.aspx
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