Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said it is now up to captain Cesc Fabregas to end speculation over his future. Fabregas, 23, continues to be linked with Barcelona, who had a bid of £29m rejected by the Gunners in June. Arsenal boss Wenger said: "What is important is that when Cesc comes back, he comes out [over his intentions]. For me, I have nothing more to add." Spain midfielder Fabregas joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old, having been part of Barcelona's youth set-up. He has made 267 appearances and scored 48 goals for the north Londoners, but reports have suggested he is now keen to return to the Catalan giants. Fabregas, along with Dutch striker Robin van Persie, was given extra time off following their participation in the World Cup final in which Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0.
Wenger remains confident his talisman will remain at Arsenal for upcoming season - his current contract runs until the summer of 2015. However, the Frenchman refused to confirm or deny reports he had met with Fabregas on Friday. Speaking after Arsenal's 1-1 draw with AC Milan in the four-team Emirates Cup, Wenger told reporters: "The conversations [I have] with the players have to be private." But he conceded: "In the last six months, this story has made our lives difficult." Arsenal defender Johan Djourou added that Fabregas must remain at the Emirates if the Gunners are to win their first Premier League title since 2004. "It is vital that he stays with us so we can keep the team together because that's the most important thing - that we keep all the players," Djourou commented. "We need him. It's his decision and we can't do anything about it but I hope he stays." Swiss international Djourou continued: "[With Fabregas] we are ready to push for first place. "We want to be up there, we now have the quality to do it - we can't wait to get the season started." |
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Wenger puts pressure on Cesc Fabregas over his future
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