new season

Cesc will make decision at the end of the season

Asked about the rumous linking him to several European top clubs among which Barcelona (read more here), Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fàbregas has said at a press conference that he will decide at the end of the season if he stays with Arsenal or not:

"Every player lives his life in his own way. Every summer one evaluates how the season has been, if he's happy and if he can make progress. But now there are still two months left, I've just recovered from an injury that kept me sidelined for four months and I only have to focus on what I like, which is playing football.

At this moment I'm very happy at Arsenal, I have a big responsibility as captain of the team. If someone wants me, they'll first have to talk with Arsenal. If Wenger would then ask me to stay, I will surely stay. But now I just want to return and, if possible, lift a trophy at the end of the season.

I cannot control what is being said or not said about me, although the truth is that it's an incredible honour that two of the greatest clubs in the history of football, like Barcelona and Real Madrid, are said to be interested in me. Guardiola is and will always be my idol but I'm not closing the door to anyone. I've never done that. Where you have played as a youth player is one thing and my career as professional player is another thing.

When I was young, Barcelona printed a football philosophy in my head that isn't the philosphy of Real Madrid, but at this moment at Arsenal, despite the fact that we like to have ball possession, we play a counter-attack football that is more or less similar to that of Madrid, while at the national team we play more like Barça. That's why I think that I can play at both teams."

Cesc’s father, Francesc Fabregas senior, is meanwhile quoted as commenting on his son's future in an interview with Catalan radio station Onda Cero Catalunya: "Of course, he likes to hear that Barça or Milan or Madrid like him. Anyone would. Any person in a job likes it if another company tells them they are fans and that they would like them to join their company.

Cesc can adapt to wherever he plays. He loves to play football and I am sure that he could fit in at any club. We are all Barca fans in the family, but everyone must understand that we are with Arsenal. At this moment, he is happy and enjoying himself there. The club values him highly.

The only thing that I can say about Florentino Pérez is that four years ago he came to us and we said 'no'. There was a lot of money on the table and we said 'no'. We felt that it was not the best moment for Cesc to move. He has to think of himself and it is not all about money."