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.

Should the deal go through as expected, Downing will become the third British midfielder that Kenny Dalglish has signed this summer. Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam were purchased not too long ago and it is clear the Liverpool manager wants to adopt a British flavour to the club.

With Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to be at the spine of the team once more, Glen Johnson at full-back and Andy Carroll leading the line, a large portion of the Liverpool team could be English come the start of the Premier League season.

With reference to the Downing deal, Dalglish said: “We will now try to agree personal terms with him, but it will all depend on the medical. It is a work in progress and we will see what happens and keep you informed.”

Aston Villa have revealed that Downing handed in a transfer request prior to a bid being accepted, meaning that they were fighting a losing battle when it came to trying to keep the England international.

They are likely to be disappointed to lose a popular player who will have his name plastered across many Villa Football Kits worn by fans, but their hand was forced.

The former Middlesbrough man has always been keen on a move to Liverpool and he will be pleased that the two clubs have come to an agreement. He will now hope to be part of a team that challenges for a Champions League place at the very latest.

As for where this leaves Aston Villa, they just have to look at replacements for Downing. It is no good having players in the squad that don’t want to be there anymore and if they can get someone like Charles N’Zogbia as a replacement for a reduced fee, that would represent good business.

Downing to Liverpool is the big story of today though and this transfer makes the start of the new Premier League season even more exciting. There has been plenty of movement amongst English clubs and it is going to be fascinating to see how everyone gets on from August.

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.

The Republic of Ireland international played a fabulous one-two with Mark Viduka then kept his composure to slot the ball past Heurelho Gomes.

Charles N’Zogbia gave Newcastle the lead when he collected a long pass from Shay Given and fired in.

Luka Modric equalised when he ran on to a Michael Dawson ball and sent his low effort past Given.

Newcastle’s second successive win means they are now unbeaten in six and four points clear of a relegation zone they have been flirting with since the start of the season.

An open first half saw Bednar hit the post before Luke Moore ran on to James Morrison’s pass to put bottom side West Brom ahead after 69 minutes.

City replied when Felipe Caicedo’s deflected backheel hit the post and bounced over the line off Scott Carson.

But Bednar won it when he rose unmarked to head home Gianni Zuiverloon’s cross.