IT was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Arsenal beckoned and young Cesc Fabregas didn't need a second invitation.

Insiders were stunned. Many questioned the move - and for good reason.

As a budding footballer with the world at your feet, you don't just pack up and walk away from Barcelona - one of the biggest clubs in Europe. No one does.

But that was exactly what the young Spaniard did - and there has never been a day when he has regretted the move.

For one so young, he is only 20, Fabregas still holds Barcelona in high esteem and he has not forgotten the 'education' he received at the Nou Camp.

And what an important bit of schooling it was.

'I was with Barca from the age of 10. I stayed with them until I was 16. And during those years I was taught by the most competent educators,' he said.

'My teachers had strong ideas about the kind of games they wanted us to play. And how to play it.

'I learnt fast and, I must say that Arsenal's similar in style to my boyhood outfit.'

In an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, Fabregas noted that his football hadn't changed since he crossed the pond to make a career for himself in England.

SAME FLAIR

'I'm playing the same game and using the same flair here at Arsenal. Nothing much has changed since my days with Barca Youth,' he said.

Reflecting on what prompted him to make the move to London at such a young age, he added: 'Arsenal, at that time, offered me the opportunity of a lifetime. I had to grab it.

'It was the right move,' he added. 'Arsenal's footballing philosophy is similar to that of Barca. So, in a way, there was no culture shock.

'Indeed, you could say that players like (Andreas) Iniesta and Xavi are from the same mould as me. At Arsenal, my Barcelonista education continued. You could say I never stopped learning.'

When prodded as to why he made the move - when players like Thierry Henry were moving in the opposite direction and leaving Arsenal for Barca, Fabregas replied: 'Why not?

'I am now a senior player here at the club. I'm comfortable on the pitch. I've been here four seasons, during which time I've played in the Champions League final and won a Cup.

'I feel strong and I have a lot more responsibility in games now than I used to. People forget how young I am. I am growing here. So I must have done something right.'

Asked about Henry - and the comparison always crops up - Fabregas was generous in his praise.

Taking time to make it clear that he is still on great terms with the Frenchman, he said: 'Here at Arsenal, we took time to adjust to his departure to Barcelona, but we've already seen that there is life after Thierry Henry.

'Before he left, when we had the ball, we always looked to pass it to him, because he could make the difference at any time. In that sense, we were tied.

'I'd have liked to have heard him say, 'listen, don't feel like you always have to pass the ball to me'. It would have made me freer.'

'Back then it was like playing with an umbrella of sorts. But from this term onwards, we've faced the challenge of coping without such a protection - and we're relishing the freedom.'

Barcelona may have enticed Henry to the Nou Camp.

But, in Fabregas, Arsenal have a gem.

A diamond polished on the playing fields of Spain, and now shining in England.