Cesc Fabregas has had better seasons than 2010/11 but he was as effective as ever when he did make it onto the pitch.

The Arsenal captain went into the campaign on the back of a glorious summer that saw Spain lift the World Cup and his club contributions were put on hold while he recovered from the tournament. Cesc looked as bright as ever after his rest but a series of niggling injuries restricted him to just 29 starts in all competitions.

That probably cost him a place in our Player of the Season top three but it's worth noting that no Premier League player could match the Arsenal skipper when it came to creativity. Cesc had the best 'minutes per assist' rate in the top flight.

He was among the goals in autumn, scoring four in three games including a brace against Braga as Arsenal made a flying start to their Champions League campaign. A vital strike against Chelsea followed as Cesc exerted his usual influence when it mattered most.

The captain came off the bench to rescue FA Cup ties against Leeds and Huddersfield and all seemed well when he led the team out four days before the Carling Cup Final for a Premier League game against Stoke. But 14 minutes later Cesc limped off with a hamstring problem and his absence was keenly felt at Wembley and Old Trafford as both domestic cups slipped away.

He was back in the side to face Barcelona in the Nou Camp but clearly lacked fitness and could do nothing to stop his former club from advancing into the Quarter-Finals.

Cesc finally shook off his hamstring problem for the crucial month of April but another knock - this time to his thigh - consigned the skipper to the sidelines for the rest of the campaign. A summer break and a clean bill of health should ensure we see the best of Cesc next term.

SOUNDBITE

"For me [the first leg against Barcelona was] the best game I've experienced in terms of quality and intensity. They had the ball, they went for it. We had the ball, we went for it. For me, I've never experienced a game with so much quality on the pitch from both teams."

CESC FABREGAS 2010/11 SEASON STATSCompetition Appearances Goals

League 22+3 3

FA Cup 0+3 2

Carling Cup 2+1 1

Champions League

5 3

Totals 39+7 9

FINEST MOMENT

Arsenal's record against the big clubs had been panned ahead of the visit of Chelsea just after Christmas but Cesc helped to silence the critics. He was a driving force throughout as the Blues' much-heralded midfield was forced back and he scored the vital second goal before setting up Theo Walcott for the third in a memorable 3-1 win.

Arsenal.com