Fabregas staying at Arsenal

Gunners ace puts paid to Barca speculation

Last updated: 11th August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fabregas staying at Arsenal

Fabregas: Committed to Arsenal

I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me.

Cesc Fabregas
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Spain international Cesc Fabregas has confirmed he is staying with Arsenal for the new Premier League season.

The talented 23-year-old has been heavily linked with Barcelona this summer and he has admitted that two formal offers were tabled for his services.

The Gunners rejected Barca's moves and never changed their position throughout the summer, stating consistently that he was not for sale.

While Fabregas admits he was seriously tempted to rejoin the Catalan giants, he is now fully focused on performing for Arsenal.

He has been with the club since he was 16 after leaving Camp Nou and appreciates everything they have done for him over the years.

Apologise

"Firstly I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment," told Sky Sports News.

"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me. This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing. There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.

"I have had many conversations with Arsene Wenger both in person and over the phone over the last few months and although the content of those conversations will remain private, the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal.

"I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me.

"I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.

"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100 per cent focused on playing for Arsenal.

"I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about.

"I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me."

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Comments (101)

Rod Duggan (Arsenal fan) says...

You can''t compare the Ronaldo situation to the Fabregas one as Ronaldo''s was a pure mercenary move. I bet he doesn''t even check the Man U scores come Saturday night. I personally think Fabregas has done no wrong and handled the situation like a gent. No big hissing fit and strop like plenty of players we could name all day. Lets face it, if it was not for the new owners coming in at Liverpool Torres would be wearing blue this season, which shade was any ones guess. Well done Cesc, a model footballer.

Posted 14:58 7th August 2010

Liam Young (Arsenal fan) says...

I can''t believe that Barca expect one of the best players in the world at £30m, even if Arsenal actually wanted to sell cesc and put him on the transfer market, his value would be at least £40+, so for a player who is in contract, and not for sale, you have to at least offer 1.5 times his value so the selling club actually have to think about it. So in my opinion, if they had offered 60million, we would''ve listened and accepted it, £30m is just an insult. I hope Barca have a Leeds episode. Get young jack wilshere playing every week, he is the future of Arsenal along with Ramsey.

Posted 10:53 7th August 2010

Beverley Knight (Arsenal fan) says...

What he forgot to say was.." However next summer I will be a Barcelona player..." What''s the point Cesc... you may as well go now...

Posted 10:34 7th August 2010

Sam N says...

Finally he has the guts to do the right thing, not only for him but a good respectable club. he will leave soon no doubt about it but atleast for another year arsenal can be a little bit of a threat to ourselves and manchester united, i couldnt stand it if city overtook them. but wenger, you really need to invest in the present aswell as the future because your team and your fans deserve it. i not only love chelsea but i love football and when fabregas goes arsenal dont actually have a leader, wenger heed this warning buy someone new that can replace cesc when he inevitably goes or we will be saying the same thing we gladly said to liverpool last season....good riddance

Posted 10:06 7th August 2010

Mus Younes (Liverpool fan) says...

cant blame the chap,he has been at arsenal for more than 8 years isnt that loyal enough? David jones i fully agree with what you say but the problem is english players arent good enough due to the system thats implimented at such a young age. i.e "run down the flank and just get a cross in." if english footie is to improve then the whole style of football needs to change in england. thats the problem with forign players mashcarano although he owes liverpool he doesnt want to honour his contract and stay. managers need to take note from mr arsene wenger and learn to put there foot down if you have a contract you will see out your contract weather you like it or not. PLAYERS SEEM TO HAVE MORE POWER THAN THE CLUBS.

Posted 09:45 7th August 2010

Nobby Hall (Liverpool fan) says...

Speaking as a Liverpool fan it was good to see Wenger stick to his guns and say "No we''re not selling". Barcelona tried to bully Arsenal into a sale and it''s a nice change to see a big club like Barcelona not getting there own way! Well done Arsene...

Posted 09:39 7th August 2010

Barry Parrett (Arsenal fan) says...

Considering the pressure that Fabregas has been under from Barcelona players and his family he has conducted himself in a very professional manner. He obviously respects Wenger and genuinely cares for The Arsenal and with a top trophy (Premiere or Champions League) this season could well stay on at the club longer. Wenger MUST buy a class goal-keeper (ours are the poorest in the Premiere League) AND get another experienced, tall centre-back if this is to happen. ON TOP OF THAT THOUGH WE NEED A SEASON WHERE OUR STAR PLAYERS DO NOT GET SERIOUS INJURIES. I honestly believe that this has been our downfall in the last couple of seasons. One last thought, Arsenal have a fantastic young squad but the star player last season was Song so we definitely need him to stay fit.

Posted 08:31 7th August 2010

Sandy Dance (Arsenal fan) says...

Thank you Cesc for finally putting this matter to bed, at least for this season! I am delighted that you are staying and hope that we can now push on and win a trophy to prove to you that you made the right decision. The way that Barca and its players have continued to make statements about you to the papers is nothing short of disgraceful, they have no shame, and appear not to care that their constant sniping and harrassment in this matter has only served to make things very dififcult for you. They need to get their own financial house in order before they even consider trying to buy such a quality player. However you and Arsenal have maintained your dignity throughout all of this saga , so thank you again or staying - you are the hearbeat of our team and we will be successful this year. Please print this review, as my last 4 have not been printed. Come on you Gooners - this is our year!

Posted 08:14 7th August 2010

John Mccartney (Arsenal fan) says...

When I heard he said he was staying I was happy, then I read his statement and now wish he was gone. He is clearly not happy that we did not sell him. He points out that 2 bids where rejected by Arsenal. If he wanted to stay that would not have mattered and he would not have mentioned it. These are not word of an Arsenal captain they are works of a player disappointed by a club that would not let him go. Yes I can understand that he would want to play for them and in that case should put a transfer request in and stand down as captain.

Posted 00:33 7th August 2010

David Jones (Liverpool fan) says...

I''m tired telling on this blog where our PL leading us. It''s just money and fame. These foreign footballers from big nation of football, they won''t be ours. First when they are born in a city, their home team(especially the big teams) is close to their heart, like here and everywhere. They come here, get famous, get better, even world class, make lots of money, and want to move back. I''ll blame these foreign managers who hardly give our british grown a chance and this affecting our National team. Fabregas committed to Arsenal at last, make me laugh, one season, he will be hoping to finish as quickly as possible. Believe me or not he won''t be the same Fabregas, his soul and mind is already at Barcelona...Anyway Good Luck to Arsenal fans.

Posted 15:41 6th August 2010

Dan H (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Terrible grammar at the start there- you''d think that with his wages he could hire a proof reader to spot double negatives! At least he has finally ended the speculation for the next 11 months or so!

Posted 15:40 6th August 2010

Ryan Batey (Newcastle United fan) says...

Well I think you owe a lot to your manager , he''s been great keeping him there ; although arsenal are a great club with ambition Barcelona are attracting players by winning trophy''s and Wenger has done well battling for your captain !

Posted 15:36 6th August 2010

James Riordan (Arsenal fan) says...

As an Arsenal fan, this is good news for the following season which will no doubt be his last for the club. Fingers crossed he goes out on a high and we win a cup, with Ramsey getting fit to fill the shoes going forward.

Posted 15:34 6th August 2010

Bernie Brown (West Ham United fan) says...

How refreshing to hear a player respecting the club and fans that helped make him the player he is today. Well done Mr. Fabregas. Even if he does only stay another season he has shown loyalty by allowing Arsenal plenty of time to find a replacement.

Posted 15:33 6th August 2010

Derek Morrison (Rangers fan) says...

Let''s be honest Fabregas wouldn''t have got a game for Barca anyway. He is a top class player but Barca have better options. Just look at the Spain team, all but 1 in the Spanish midfield were Barca player. Arsneal have to be realistic though, he WILL leave for Barca one day, so start looking for a replacement now.

Posted 15:28 6th August 2010

Darragh Purcell (Arsenal fan) says...

Thanks for staying at Arsenal! When I heard the the news I went screaming My head off with JOY!!!! THANKS AGAIN FOR STAYING!!!!!!!!

Posted 15:25 6th August 2010

Callum Connis (Arsenal fan) says...

Well'' Let me say, I can now sit back and relax for another year; knowing that My favorite player will be staying at Arsenal for Another Season, At least. I can quite simply predict his future career from this point onwards; I have had many favorite players at Arsenal Football Club. All, leaving when most needed. Patrice Viera was my Favorite in 2003/4 season, he moved. then Denis Burgkamp in 2005/6. Thierry Henry Left in 2006/7 and know at the end of the 2010/11 Season Cesc Fabregas will Be due to Leave, Barc''a will grab Another Great, player from arsenal, with nothing in return apart from a cheque for roughly £40,million Which to be honest doesn''t get used well in replacement circumstances. proof- 2003/4 season was arsenals best, all amazing players in the squad. sooner than later all leave. and Arsenal have provided US fans with the Emirates cup trophy 3 times which is Barely an Expensive Bar of Chocolate. When Fabregas leaves. "WENGER, BUY SOME ONE WHO WILL DO AN AMAZINGLY GOOD JOB OF REPLACING HIM". THANKS, God bless Arsenal.

Posted 15:25 6th August 2010

Paul Ivory (West Ham United fan) says...

Arsenal should probably have just taken Barca for ever penny they could now. Cesc''s heart is obviously set on the Catalan club. Who, no offense to the Gunners who are a big club in England, are a much bigger club. I suspect there might be a tail off in his performance towards the season end, just like Ronny in the ECL final.

Posted 15:22 6th August 2010

Best Akporotu (Arsenal fan) says...

Is everyone forgetting that Barca can''t afford him. To me it''s very simple. If Barca had the ¿50 - ¿60m it requires to buy Fab, they would have made the bid. If that bid had come in the club would have taken Barca seriously and accepted/negotiated with them. All arsenal fans know that Fab wanted to leave and I for one am not angry with him, its understandable that he wants to play for the club he supported as a kid. I''m sure he will give his all for the club and if/when Barca have the money, he''ll be sold whether we win something or not. It''s like the Henry thing, if we had beaten Barca in the CL final all those years ago i think Hnery would have left that summer instead of the following year because he would have fulfiled his potential at Arsenal. I think Fab will be gone next year whether we win a trophy or not.

Posted 15:22 6th August 2010

Darren Turner (Manchester United fan) says...

I enjoy watching Arsenal play football (who doesn''t) but i really do feel he should have been allowed to go. This player is clearly frustrated and thinks he is better than Arsenal (he probably is) and his comments this summer and even last season after defeats were not productive for the team. Arsenal have a player in Nasri who is far more effective in the middle than out wide and when Fabregas plays Nasri gets pushed out wide. Look at how this team moved up a level all round once Henry left, it is the same with Cesc. Everyone in the world respects Arsene Wenger for the football he preaches but he has no plan B and he is his own worst enemy at times especially in the big games and praising his favourite players blindly till they decide to leave. His best players decide to break ranks every single year and no one seems to wonder why? I think Arsene will go at the end of this season and just like Gerrard at Liverpool (should of gone to Madrid) his departure would be the only way to really start again fresh and move forward.

Posted 15:21 6th August 2010

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