The received wisdom is that Arsène Wenger will have foreseen the possibility of Cesc leaving this summer and planned accordingly. Really?

It’s not as if Fabregas’ decision is a complete surprise, he could easily have gone last year after another disappointing season. One FA cup medal in six years is no reflection of Cesc’s world class ability. Perhaps the deluded “third place is a trophy” Wenger gave each squad player a bronze medal but sadly CF4 wasn’t fooled.

So can we rest assured that our manager, supported by his chief scout Steve Rowley and his worldwide network, have the succession plan well in hand? Unfortunately his recent track record gives cause for concern.

The replacement for Lehmann was, and still is, Almunia - nuff said. The now sadly permanently disabled Eduardo was supposedly some kind of substitute for Henry. It took years before the defensive midfield boots of Gilberto were finally filled by Song.

And so it goes on… Walcott, after five years at Arsenal is still no Pires or Freddie and never will be. Nasri, rightly left out of the France World Cup squad, is not the new Bergkamp or Merson. If Denilson is the answer, what the hell is the question?

This is not a recent phenomenon. Remember that Aliadiere (one goal in six seasons) was hailed as the next Anelka, Justin Hoyte (Aliadiere’s team-mate in Middlesbrough reserves last season) was the right back of the future on the day pigs were seen flying over Highbury.

So what chance is there of Le Professeur being one step ahead of the departure of our captain? No chance, slim chance, dog's chance or a cat in hell’s chance?