Monday cannon fodder: youngest ever

In 16 days, we will wake up on an Arsenal match day for the first time in more than three months. In case you missed it, the Premier League returns on June 17th with Arsenal-Manchester City and Aston Villa-Sheffield United, the two remaining matchweek 29 fixtures. Then on the 20th, the full slate of games resumes in earnest.

As we count down the days in Cannon Fodder, I’m going to give you an Arsenal factoid related to the number of days left. Today’s number is 16 (because on the 17th, the number of the day will be “0”).

Cesc Fabregas made his Arsenal senior debut at 16 years, 5 months, and 24 days old.

He became the youngest senior player in club history with his start in the Carling Cup against Rotherham (Arsenal needed 9 rounds of penalties to get past the Division 1 side that evening). Fabregas is also the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer.

Bonus Fact: Jack Wilshere was 16 years, 8 months, 12 days old when he made his PL debut, making him the youngest ever Premier League player for the club.

Arsene Wenger brought him on against Blackburn Rovers in September 2008 as an 84th minute substitute. A few months later, Wilshere became just the fifth 16-year-old to play in the Champions League.