It was in the Joan Gamper against Napoli that Cesc first found the net. Since then, he has been one of the most effective players in the squad in terms of goals scored per minute.

Messi provides assists

He didn’t take long to score his first goal for the first team. In Monaco Cesc struck a blinder past Helton to as good as seal the European Supercup title for the side he joined from Arsenal in the summer. Messi laid on a perfect assist and the Catalan didn’t disappoint as the players appeared alongside each other for the first time since playing in the junior ranks at FCB. It was also the Argentinian who laid on Cesc’s first ever goal in la Liga against Villarreal, when he struck home just before the break to stretch his team’s convincing lead.

Goals for Spain too

This Friday in Switzerland, he again demonstrated his goalscoring touch. He scored twice in the friendly with Chile, the first thanks to a wonderful pass from Iniesta to tie the match and he also got his team’s third when he punched on the rebound of a penalty he had taken himself. As luck should have it, the ball landed straight back at his feet and he coolly slotted home.

Change of role

Other than the number on his back, there is not a lot about Cesc to remind us of the man who did so well at Arsenal. At the Emirates, Cesc was the central playmaker for the Gunners, and the out and out strikers were Walcott, Van Persie and Arshavin. But for Barcelona, he is playing a far more offensive role, and with devastating results. Cesc the goalscorer is back!