Fabregas for Van Persie link-up at Man Utd

Barcelona's midfielder Cesc Fabregas (L) vies with Valencia's Argentinian midfielder Tino Costa (R) during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Valencia CF on September 2, 2012 at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. (AFP)

Published Wednesday, September 05, 2012

By Staff

Surely Arsene Wenger will think it a cruel joke.

Or, did he know something the Camp Nou did not, when he just weathered the storm and let his prodigy Cesc Fabregas go to Barcelona.

Now, Fabregas has admitted to frustration over his recent inconsistent performances for Barcelona and more importantly, have hinted that his not playing every minute of every game as being the reason.

Fabregas, who returned to Barcelona last summer for £30million after eight years at Arsenal, was substituted after 63 minutes against Valencia on Sunday, which Barca won.

Fabregas was quoted as telling Radio Marca: “There's no such thing as a great substitute in the world of football.

“Everybody likes to play every minute of the season.

“I've always said that I play for the best team in the world, but I came here to compete, to learn and enjoy, not to sit wracking my brains.

“The manager knows what I can offer. But across the three positions that I can play, I am competing with the three best players in the world.

'I'm delighted to be a part of this team but when a coach tells me I have to go, I'll go.”

While over at Manchester United, the prospect of an unhappy Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid has raised the temperatures, will Arsenal dare consider keeping the door open for Fabregas.

It might make sense, if only to keep him out of the clutches of Manchester City, or worse, Manchester United.

United are sorely lacking a midfield presence and Fabregas, who at Barca has to compete with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and now even, his former Gunners team-mate, Song, will be the perfect Scholes replacement.

Barca, of course, will be foolish to let him go.