Fabregas - Gunner for life

Arsenal captain would welcome career-long Emirates stay

Last updated: 23rd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

I am at a great club, with a great team and am happy.

Cesc Fabregas.
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Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has admitted he would be happy to stay at Emirates Stadium for his entire career.

The Spain international also moved to insist that his focus on the Gunners would not be swayed by the latest round of speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona.

Fabregas joined Arsenal as a 15-year-old after starting out at Camp Nou and has long been linked with a return to his homeland after blossoming into a midfield maestro.

The 22-year-old has recently found his name being bandied about as a political pawn in Barca's presidential election campaign.

Out-going supremo Joan Laporta has hinted a deal is already in place to bring Fabregas back next summer, seen as a move to undermine the election campaign of old rival Sandro Rosell, with Agusti Benedito also vying for power.

But Fabregas is unworried by the rumours and, when asked whether he could envisage staying at Arsenal for the whole of his career, replied: "Why not?

"I have never really thought about it, staying here all my life, because I am only 22 and you never know what your career will bring - but why not?

"It is my seventh season now, I am really happy, better than ever, so you never know."

Great season

Fabregas, who was speaking to the media ahead of Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League clash with Standard Liege at Emirates Stadium, added: "This [speculation] has been going for years.

"It does not affect me at all.

"I don't mind really if it happens, it happens - but it will not change the way I think.

"I do not think about it because I do not want to and I do not think I should.

"I am at a great club, with a great team and am happy.

"We have a long season in front of us, and the last thing I want to do is get disconnected from what I have to do playing for Arsenal, who are the club which pays me.

"I am really looking forward to a great season with Arsenal."

Very strong

Defeat at Sunderland on Saturday saw Arsene Wenger's men slip eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea, although they still have the benefit of a game in hand.

And with the North London outfit hosting the league leaders on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, Fabregas knows he and his team-mates are facing a crucial clash.

Fabregas said: "The Chelsea game is vital. We have to win, and we will be ready for it.

"Chelsea are a great team, one of the best in Europe, are very strong and have been playing together for a long time.

"They know each other very well, and you can see that on the pitch.

"I respect them a lot, but I know what we can do as well. If we play like we can at our best, then we can beat them.

"With the game in hand we have as well, we could still be there.

"But first of all, we think about the Liege game, and then about Chelsea, but, yes, it is an important week for us."

Comments (19)

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Ernst White (Fulham fan) says...

Why put a heading like that, when it is totally misleading when compared to what Cesc actually said?

Posted 16:27 23rd November 2009

Shaunak A (Manchester United fan) says...

Well, comments by Fabulous fabregas...on the similar lines as made by Mr. Cristiano Ronaldo last year.... ... Sorry Arsenal Fans, but i do like Fabregas and like the way Arsenal play and encourage youth policy...but it seems the deal's already in place...

Posted 16:22 23rd November 2009

Tang Sher m. (Arsenal fan) says...

Everytime someone says this, he leaves the club the following season. Let's hope this is not the case.

Posted 16:14 23rd November 2009

Elvis Kro (Arsenal fan) says...

Fabregas wil b at arsenal 4eva mo despite all romours. Long live fabulous.

Posted 16:11 23rd November 2009

Idowu Oluwatosin (Arsenal fan) says...

For the past three seasons, Fabregas has been my favourite Arsenal players. He's the only one I have seen in Arsenal that kisses his badge when he scores. Maybe others do kiss the badge when they score, but somehow it's only Fabregas that I've seen kiss the Arsenal badge with such conviction and passion.

Posted 16:08 23rd November 2009

Joe M (Everton fan) says...

"Why not?" the title of this article is highly misleading. "Why not" certainly doesn't mean yes. And now Cesc has a starting place in the Spanish line-up, the likes of xavi and Iniesta are gonna be in his ear all the time telling him about the benefits of the Spanish league, not to mention being European champions... my hoenst prediction, 2 more seasons at most. I desperately hope not mind, cause the league will one of it's true genius'.

Posted 15:51 23rd November 2009

Will Louis (Arsenal fan) says...

such good news for all gunners fans and the english premier league

Posted 15:51 23rd November 2009

Rob Co (Arsenal fan) says...

this is good news as everyone is fed up hearing about barcelona, if we can keep him with us for another 8 years, by which time Arsene will have handed over the reigns to an ex gunner like DB10 of PV4/TH14 we will have won a league and european trophy or two, i do beleive that Cesc and Rambo will be as good if not better than the barcelona midfield two, and given time and understanig there is no reason why Song cannot make it as the third one as well. i am stil a little uncomfortable with the defence, and i find it interesting to see we are trying to sign Gallas for a few more years, he is good but we need a tall ruggid centre half, and maybe a new goalie that can command the box a bit more

Posted 15:44 23rd November 2009

Ozzie C (Arsenal fan) says...

As an Arsenal fan i would love to see the likes of Cesc stay for life and be part of Wenger's dream. But, reality shows he will leave someday just like Viera and Henry. There is only one Dennis Bergkamp who had his heart in Arsenal who stayed and finnished his career with Arsenal. Cesc has his heart set for a return to Spain maybe not in the next couple of seasons, he is young enough to bide his time and move on when he is at his prime. Its a shame but he will eventually move on. the only way he can commit himself is to say give a long term contract, but even contracts dont have any meaning once you want to move. He will be our maestro until he does move.

Posted 15:35 23rd November 2009

Lee Holland (Arsenal fan) says...

What is the point of writing comments, when you never put mine up. I have sent 5 different comments all of them adult with mature points and your team never allows me an opinion. It is a disgrace. I will not be bothering from now on. Thanks SKY

Posted 15:26 23rd November 2009

Steevo The gooner for life (Arsenal fan) says...

Well then, this is the moment all arsenal supporters have been waiting for - Cesc Fabregas commiting his future to arsenal. even though i doubt that he will "stay at arsenal for the rest of his carrer", he is a world class midfeilder, the longer arsenal keep him, the more succsess they will have. fabregas + arshavin will shine this season, a shame about Van Persie's injury. but, if wenger spends in january, then .. HAPPY DAYS ! we have GOT TO win against chelsea on sunday, forget the championsleague game v Standary Liege wenger, feild your youngsters. We need the boys fit for sunday. COME ON YOU GOONERS ! ! !

Posted 15:24 23rd November 2009

Chris Styles (Arsenal fan) says...

That would be very good for Arsenal if he happened to stay there for the rest of his career

Posted 15:21 23rd November 2009

Peter Schroder (Arsenal fan) says...

I trying not to get carried away but WOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Posted 15:13 23rd November 2009

Ryan James (liverpool fan) (Liverpool fan) says...

Great News for Arsenal, but I think they have to start winning or certainly competing at the business end of the PL and CL or Fabregas will be off. We are in a similar position with Torres, they might love the respective clubs, but as a professional there ultimate goal is to win trophies. Both Liveprool and Arsenal need to do this to satisfy players of the quality of Fabregas and Torres, although i'm sure winning the World Cup which I think Spain will, may quench there ambition for a while!

Posted 15:02 23rd November 2009

Ian Rodriguez (Arsenal fan) says...

This latest comment isn't worth the laptop im reading it on. No loyalty in footy these days and its all smoke screens and play on words. Nobody other than the players know their intentions or how deep their loyalties run. Talk is cheap.

Posted 14:56 23rd November 2009

Kevin Corcoran (Manchester United fan) says...

Nice to see some loyalty for once, and had he not ditched Barca for Arsenal in the first place I might actually believe him.

Posted 14:55 23rd November 2009

Kunal Kotecha (Liverpool fan) says...

translated in footbal language... 'I'm going to Barcelona at the end of this season'

Posted 14:52 23rd November 2009

Rayne Jennings (Arsenal fan) says...

We've got Cesc Fabregas!

Posted 14:47 23rd November 2009

Matt Hubbard (Arsenal fan) says...

Good decision Cesc you are one of the best players at the emirates at the moment I could understand why you might want to rejoin Barca but not for a good more years i hope.

Posted 14:45 23rd November 2009
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