The show, to be broadcast on Sky Sports 1 on Monday 19 May, was filmed in front of a 400-strong audience. The likes of Arsène Wenger, Philippe Senderos, Nicklas Bendtner and Paul Merson all made appearances, alongside some of Sky’s personalities such as Jeff Stelling and Chris Kamara, while Fàbregas himself was at the centre of the action.

The Spaniard competed in a Pro-Evo Soccer game with a member of the audience, answered a selection of questions and, finally, competed in a heading competition with Merson, Michael Thomas and Senderos in order to win the entire audience the new Arsenal kit, which is based on the 1988/89 season when Thomas rose to infamy.

More photos from the Cesc Fabregas Show

Cesc on Cesc

The programme was dominated by the life and development of Fàbregas, and he attributed his success to his parents - both of whom were present, along with his grandparents - and living in a small town, rather than a large city like London or Barcelona.

Born in the beautiful small town of Arenys de Mar and playing on the concrete-surrounded artificial field in Mataró, Fàbregas said he was spotted by Barcelona officials aged just 10. They then talked to his parents and a trial was organised. Aged 16, Arsène Wenger travelled to meet him in Spain and Fàbregas admitted he was taken back by the effort and words of praise from the Frenchman.

Fàbregas attributed hard work and a good temperament to his success, but was particularly thankful to Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira for helping him settle in.

Asked to reflect on his Arsenal career thus far, he said his fabulous effort against AC Milan in the Champions League this season was the most important goal he has scored, “I saw there were eight minutes left and just decided to shoot… it was important because no English team had won at San Siro before. It may have hit Adebayor on the way but it is my goal!”

He also told of one horrendous journey using London’s Tube network - the reason why his landlady handed him a Tube map to pin on his wall. Having got lost via the numerous lines, he planned on phoning roommate Senderos only to discover his mobile phone battery was dead. Having borrowed a fellow passenger’s phone, he asked the Swiss international to send a taxi - but after an hour’s wait and no cab, it was clear no one would be saving him, “I then asked a stranger for a lift, and he started asking me all sorts of questions… I said that I’m a footballer, that I had got lost and had no money.”

Eventually the questions became a little too personal for the Spaniard who admitted, “I opened the door and jumped out.” Having finally made his way home, he discovered his landlady had rung the police and that they were desperately searching for his whereabouts across North London. Hence, the tube map that hung large from his old bedroom wall.

Wenger on Cesc

Arsène Wenger was in good spirits and delivered an intriguing talk on how to snap-up young talent, affirming that “technical ability is developed between seven and 14 years of age… if you have no technique by 14, then you cannot make it as a footballer” before offering presenter Andy Goldstein a trial. Well, sort of.

“Between 14 and 17, the physical side must be developed… and the player must have the right temperament for the game… he must be right mentally,” said Wenger. He added that a prospective player missing any one of these three aspects would bear little chance of making it professionally.

Before the conclusion of the interview, Wenger lavished the praise on his young protégé Fàbregas, “I believe a midfielder reaches his peak between the ages of 25 and 30. At age 21, he is four years more advanced than most and he can certainly be the best midfielder in the world.”

Cesc on Villa

A member of the audience asked Fàbregas which player he would take from the Spain national team back from Euro 2008 to play for Arsenal. After little thought, and a lot of encouragement from the crowd, he stated with a smile, “Villa.”

Valencia striker David Villa has said recently that he sees his future elsewhere - and named Arsenal as a preferred destination. Fàbregas would relish such a move, “We are very good friends… I think Villa would be very good for Arsenal.”

The evening concluded with new Arsenal shirts being won by the entire studio audience after Fàbregas finally scored a header at the fifth attempt. And although heading is not his strongest point, his feet do more than enough of the talking on the pitch.

From left to right: Fabregas with his parents on stage; Fabregas’s mother participates in some banter with Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday; the audience awaits the introduction of Cesc Fabregas

Sometimes I hate the English media. They always tend to depict Italy’s Serie A as the most boring, most dire, most uneventful league in Europe, if not the world. But let me say this; this season the Serie A title race is as exciting as the English Premier League finale, if not spicier.

Probably about half of the footballing fans around the world watched in anticipation as Chelsea and Manchester United slugged out their title finale on Sunday. It was not as exciting as I anticipated, but all the same, it was fun to watch and ended a thoroughly good season.

Compared to Europe’s other leagues, Serie A has not had an exciting finale like this in a long time. Last season, Real Madrid won the La Liga title through their head-to-head matches with rivals Barcelona after finishing with the same number of points. In the Premier League this year, both Chelsea and Manchester United went to the wire with United being crowned Champions on Sunday. Both exciting endings to those respective seasons. But the third best league in Europe is surely now having the last laugh.

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The Barcelona squad of 2006 was by no means a one-man-team. Samuel Eto’o and Deco were in terrific form, Lionel Messi was the breakthrough star of the season and Dutch manager Frank Rijkaard had changed the course of the final with his introduction of Henrik Larsson and Juliano Belletti from the bench. They were a team who could score through sustained pressure, a counter-attack, a set-piece or simply just a moment of magic. And that inspiration could come from one of several players in the famous red and blue jersey. But it was apparent to all that Ronaldinho was the standout performer of the team.

He was irresistible all season in the team which also strode to the La Liga crown to seal the double. He captivated the world by playing as if he were no longer bound by the laws of gravity and his change of pace, vast array of passing, flicks and back-heels bamboozled the greatest defences Europe had to offer. Barcelona that season were the embodiment of what Roman Abramovich aspires Chelsea to be - that rare but spectacular harmony between entertainment and trophies. Ronaldinho being acclaimed as the best player in the world became a flagrant statement, and he was on his way to the World Cup in Germany to prove just that.

It was the previous World Cup in 2002 when the dentally challenged Brazilian ‘arrived’ on the international stage with the goal that eliminated England. From then on ‘R10’ as he was dubbed by the Nike marketing department seemed scintillatingly unstoppable. His nation went on to win the 2002 World Cup in Tokyo and he returned to find Manchester United and Barcelona vying for his signature. He became a regular on Soccer AM’s showboat whilst accumulating further winners’ medals as he entered the golden phase of his career at the Camp Nou. 

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A thrilling title race and a ferocious battle to avoid the drop kept onlookers fascinated until the final minutes of the campaign. And in the midst of all the excitement came a host of high-scoring, memorable matches. Footballing World pick out the top five from the 2007/08 season.

1. Portsmouth 7-4 Reading
Saturday, 29 September 2007

Early season excitement as Portsmouth run riot against a Reading side seemingly incapable of defending. The drama was reserved for the second half as an incredible eight goals were scored along with a missed penalty; Benjani netting a hat-trick as nine different players got their name on the score-sheet in a match that set a new Premier League record for the most aggregate goals scored in a single match. Sadly, it proved an exceptional afternoon for the home side and their supporters: Pompey finished the season failing to score in 10 of their 19 home games.

Portsmouth goals: Mwaruwari 7, 37, 70, Hreidarsson 55, Kranjcar 75, Davis 81, Muntari 90 pen.
Reading goals: Hunt 45, Kitson 48, Long 79, Shorey 90.

2. Tottenham 4-4 Chelsea
Wednesday, 19 March 2008

These two London sides provided various classic encounters against fellow Premier League sides during the season, but they managed something even better when they met in late March. A bustling, high-octane clash ended with Robbie Keane’s stunning late equaliser to earn the hosts a point, just weeks after they had beaten Chelsea in the Carling Cup final. Three goals in the opening 20 minutes set the tempo, but Tottenham left the happier after coming from 3-1 and 4-3 down to rescue a point while helping to ruin Chelsea’s title ambitions, who added to their poor reputation when Ashley Cole threw a tantrum after receiving a yellow card for a challenge that deserved red.

Tottenham goals: Woodgate 12, Berbatov 61, Huddlestone 75, Keane 88.
Chelsea goals: Drogba 3, Essien 20, Joe Cole 52, 80.

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Arsenal star Cesc Fàbregas will host his very own TV show on Sky Sports 1 - as previously revealed on this site - and Footballing World has a pair of tickets to give away for what promises to be an exceptional evening and a one-time only event!

The audience will be limited to just 400, but you and a friend could be part of it by answering the simple question below.

The exclusive event takes place at Sky’s studios in Wembley, London this Tuesday (13 May) with the doors opening at 6.00pm and the show beginning an hour later.

To have a chance of winning, send us the answer to the question below via e-mail - to mail@footballingworld.com - along with your address and telephone number. You must be 18 or over and have a proof of age to bring to the event (driving licence, passport).

What number shirt does Fabregas wear for Arsenal?

A. 2
B. 4
C. 6

Send your answer to mail@footballingworld.com by 6pm, Sunday 11 May.

Editor’s decision is final.

Address of location: Fountain Studios, 128 Wembley Park Drive, Wembley, London, HA9 8HP

On the surface, the Premier League has never been more bullish, never so possessed of skillful footballers. Where once, players such as Torres, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Drogba et al would be compelled to move to Italy (or, latterly, Spain) to compete at the highest level, now the general preference is England. A dozen years ago the Premier League could only hope to attract top players in the twilight of their careers, but today, many of the world’s leading talents spend their best years in Blighty.

So great is the pull of the Premer League pound that even the inferior weather can’t keep them away. And because of its global attraction, English football has become seriously big business.

But what price, if any, are we paying for this cosmetic and commercial success? Is the Premier League at risk of becoming the plaything of a ‘scoreumvirate’ of business tycoons who might down tools and move on as abruptly as they entered the fray, leaving vast debt in their wake?

The sports pages have been dominated this season by the ‘business’ of football. Comment on the beautiful game has made way in part for boardroom battles that wouldn’t be out of place in the script of ‘Dynasty’.

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Arsenal might run a tight financial ship, but their wage structure is costing them current and prospective players. Mathieu Flamini’s move to AC Milan was in part motivated by a superior contract offer from the Italians after Arsenal’s bid fell well short of what Flamini expected. Alexander Hleb is expected to leave the club for similar reasons, and while Arsenal don’t have a problem in attracting talented players to the club, when a player of David Villa’s calibre says he would like to join the club Arsène Wenger is forced to resist because he would crave too much money.

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With the visitors having pulled the score back to 3-1, Nani’s dismissal might have proved significant and both manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz lamented the Portuguese for his impetuousness at such a vital time in the season.

The midfielder’s red card has been the culmination of weeks of poor form, however. His final ball has frequently been misplaced or not forthcoming at all - like at Stamford Bridge in the crunch encounter with Chelsea - and the 21-year-old has demonstrated his immaturity during United’s most crucial games of the entire campaign. In fact, his performances are reminiscent of compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo’s during his first season at the club - the desire to impress is clear, but there is often no end product and a lack of selflessness.

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The diminutive Spaniard however, has not just been firing on all cylinders on the football field.

A Nike promo video, building up his live show which is to be broadcast on Sky Sports 1, sees Fàbregas donning a stunning silver suit which is then covered with fuel - as is the ball he is about to receive.

The ball arrives over a wall of fire and immediately catches alight, along with Fàbregas’s suit. Yet the cheeky midfielder is not overawed as he demonstrates some impressive skills despite the sweltering temperatures before firing the ball into the net.

Should Fàbregas be renamed Mr. Brave or did a stuntman do all the hard work? Watch the video and leave your comments below.

Serie A’s top tier establishment will effectively be decided this weekend as the most anticipated Milan derby in recent history takes centre-stage at the San Siro. Both teams go into the battle of the Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday afternoon needing a win, albeit for different reasons.

Internazionale could effectively win the Scudetto by beating rivals Milan with two games remaining thereafter, ending Roma’s title hopes. AC Milan on the other hand realise that anything but a win will likely settle the dust over a poor season, positioning themselves outside the Champions League places.

The last Milan derby, as I had argued previously, had lost its beauty, not least because AC Milan were 22 points behind Inter, and nowhere near a Champions League spot. But somehow, Carlo Ancelotti’s men find themselves within a whisker of fourth spot, though struggling to overcome a Fiorentina side who have had a marvellous season under Cesare Prandelli.

That makes this derby all the more interesting. Who would have guessed that the derby this Sunday would act to clarify the entire campaign?

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