It is difficult to know what to make of the most prolonged of transfer saga’s anymore. The truth is Fabregas will go, be it this year or in five years’ time; it is a matter of when rather than if.

And after such a galling season, where the core beliefs of the club and Arsene Wenger’s philosophy were held up to the most brutal of examinations, perhaps the “Arsenal will die if Cesc leaves” attitude from some fans needs to be reassessed.

I’m not for one second suggesting Fabregas isn’t a world class player or he is not an integral part of the side. He deserves the utmost respect for what he has done during his time at Arsenal, and for resisting the allure of the best side in the world which happen to be his home-town club for season after season.

But there are bigger things at stake here. The cliché that no one is bigger than the club is usually reserved for arrogant wantaways with scant regard for the contract they signed, but while the saying holds true in this case it is for different reasons altogether.

Wenger is at a crossroads in his career with Arsenal. Last season the foundations he laid when he joined the club looked to be built upon sand as they crumbled around him as he grasped desperately to keep them upright.

This summer could perhaps be the most defining period of his career as he battles to keep hold of the star turns in his side like Fabregas and Samir Nasri while showing his intent in the transfer market to end the trophy-less run that threatens to engulf him.

But Fabregas must have his heart in it if he is to help pull the Gunners back in the right direction, while Wenger must be brutally honest with himself and those around him: when is the time to end the saga? When does the amount of offer tip the balance towards selling and re-investing in the squad? If no trophy arrives next season the murmurs of doubt that echo around the Emirates will become considerably louder.

Wenger is at a point in his career where the scales are finely balanced and his decisions this summer – with Fabregas, with transfer targets, and even his approach to the game – will tip them either way.

He is faced with a tough choice. As his squad pull on the Arsenal anniversary shirt he must find out who is on board and has the fight to move on from last season and show they can bounce back, and who’s heart isn’t in it – having players in a squad who want out when it comes to the crunch is a recipe for disaster.

So Wenger and Fabregas must talk. It will not be easy and it will not be straight-forward but it is necessary. The direction Arsenal are heading in the near future depends on it.

Robin van Persie put Arsenal ahead after collecting a long pass from Samir Nasri that he brilliantly controlled before smashing home.

Keane’s equaliser was equally spectacular, drilling home a long punt upfield on the half-volley.

Emmanuel Adebayor saw red in the second half after picking up a second yellow.

Liverpool had been on top at the time of Adebayor’s 62nd-minute dismissal but the home team competed manfully after losing their Togo striker and were good value for their point.

Emmanuel Adebayor headed the visitors in front after 17 minutes from Cesc Fabregas’s corner.

But Boro hit back and former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere headed a fine equaliser from Tuncay Sanli’s fierce cross 12 minutes later.

Robin van Persie wasted a good chance after the break, while keeper Manuel Almunia parried Stewart Downing’s shot.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will view this as two points wasted as they try to keep in touch with the title pace-setters – seeing his side dominate possession but fail to take advantage

Wigan came close to opening the scoring when Wilson Palacios’ deflected shot was smartly saved by Manuel Almunia.

Instead, Adebayor broke the deadlock when he slotted home a low effort after collecting a pass from Cesc Fabregas.

Adebayor almost doubled the lead but Chris Kirkland tipped his shot onto the post and Denilson also saw his drive cannon back off the woodwork.

The two sides met in the Carling Cup last month, when Arsenal’s youngsters ran out 3-0 winners against a near full-strength Wigan team.

Johan Djourou turned Jose Bosingwa’s cross into his own net after 31 minutes to give Chelsea the lead as Arsenal’s title challenge looked to be in danger of suffering a potentially fatal blow.

And then, with Chelsea the dominant force, Van Persie delivered two crucial blows to earn Arsene Wenger’s side a priceless victory.

The Gunners appeared to be in freefall after skipper William Gallas was dropped for his midweek outburst.

Stephen Ireland clipped in City’s first after Gael Clichy sliced a clearance, and Robinho doubled the lead when he superbly chipped Manuel Almunia.

Robinho had a shot cleared off the line before Daniel Sturridge scored with a penalty after he had been fouled.

Arsenal’s build-up to the match was blighted by Gallas’ public claims that the team lacks spirit and togetherness, while City had won only once in five league games.

Nasri’s deflected shot opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and he doubled their advantage three minutes after the interval with a powerful finish from Cesc Fabregas’s precise pass.

Substitute Rafael volleyed United back into contention with a minute of normal time left – but Arsenal survived six extra minutes and an outbreak of mass anxiety at the Emirates to clinch the three points.

It was a victory they merited, with United creating and wasting chances but never carrying the same sense of self-belief as Arsenal in a highly charged atmosphere.

Delap sent a throw to the far post and Fuller glanced in for the opener.

Delap, himself, then looped in a header that Gael Clichy cleared off the line before Olofinjana chested in Stoke’s second from another Delap throw-in.

Van Persie saw red for shoving Thomas Sorensen before Clichy pulled a goal back with a deflected shot.

The defeat is another serious blow to Arsenal’s title aspirations, while Stoke will be delighted with three points that take them a little further away from the drop zone.

David Bentley’s brilliant early strike put Spurs ahead, but Mikael Silvestre headed Arsenal level before half-time.

William Gallas put Arsenal in front seconds after the re-start and Emmanuel Adebayor bundled home their third.

Darren Bent pulled one back before Robin van Persie added Arsenal’s fourth – but Jermaine Jenas’s 89th-minute goal and Lennon’s tap-in earned a point.

Bentley’s audacious opener gave Redknapp the perfect start to his first official game in charge, but that early optimism soon disappeared as Arsenal took total control of the north London derby.

But once again Arsenal were guilty of their familiar crime of over-elaboration and missing chances, leaving the door open for Spurs to rescue a point from a game that looked lost.