Arsenal faces betrayal on 'sale' of Fabregas

Arsenal’s former stars, ex-captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri will not let their club rest in peace… or the pieces it has been reduced to off late.

After Nasri’s hurtful (at least for Gunner fans) comments about Arsenal’s title chances and championship aspirations, comes another bombshell from Cesc Fabregas.

Fabregas has revealed that it was Arsene Wenger who convinced the Arsenal board to lower their asking price to pave the way for the Spanish midfielder’s dream return to Barcelona.

This is surely to drive a wedge between Arsenal supporters and under-fire manager Wenger.

Most Arsenal fans, though tired of the Fabregas saga, might well see this as betrayal by Wenger.

What is crucial in Fabregas’ interview to a Spanish paper is the gratefulness he shows to Wenger – not to Arsenal as a club.

Have manager and player come before club?

Fabregas rejoined his old club in a £35 million transfer last month, though Barca have since admitted his value is twice that figure.
 
Gunners fans were left red-faced at the fee the North Londoners accepted for the 24-year-old playmaker, with many claiming it was far lower than his true worth which is now valued by Barcelona at £53 million.

But with Fabregas sulking at Emirates Stadium during the close season, Arsenal boss Wenger had no option but let him join his boyhood club.

Fabregas admitted: “Without Arsene I would not be a Barca player now. He convinced the owners of Arsenal - who would not sell under any circumstances - to lower the price.”

Fabregas moved to London as a 16-year-old in 2003 and made 303 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 57 goals.

The World Cup winner concedes he owes his whole career to Wenger.

The Spanish international added: “Without Arsene I would not have made my debut by 16, played in the final of the Champions League at 18 and been team captain by 20. I would be nothing without him - what he has given me is priceless.”

However, Fabregas won just one piece of silverware during his eight-year stay in London - the 2005 FA Cup.
 
That is the one black mark on his Arsenal career.

The former Arsenal skipper said: “In terms of titles, I am bitter about that. Missing out on winning the Premier League about three times - I would have liked to have taken that, but it could not happen.”

However, despite winning two trophies during his brief time already at the Nou Camp, Fabregas insists he does not consider himself a first-team starter just yet.
Speaking to El Pais, he said: “It is clear that only players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi could complain about a lack of playing time. If they did complain I would respect that, so I will play when I play.

“I feel I still have much to learn, this team is highly mechanised and there are things I have to catch up on particularly in defence.

“I have never seen a team that is so focused on the attack-defend transition - playing against Barcelona is very complicated but playing at the club is not so easy and that is the challenge.

“I honestly feel that at times I may hinder them, but they are good at fixing it and hiding it - I must adapt to them and learn.”

Fabregas is also enamoured by Barcelona’s style.

He said: “Their style of play is the most beautiful thing I have seen in my life, all you hear is the ball going - tap, tap, tap - I have never seen so much training at this level.”

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