Manchester City cannot buy their way to a Premier League title, according to Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Midfielder warns rivals it will take time to build champions' spirit
Manchester City cannot buy their way to a Premier League title, according to Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
The Gunners head to Eastlands this weekend with confidence back in their camp as they backed up last Saturday's win over Birmingham City by routing Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Arsene Wenger's side face a City side which is benefiting from an unprecedented spending spree under Roberto Mancini's stewardship and currently sit second in the table, trailing champions Chelsea by two points.
But Fabregas insists cold, hard cash alone will not guarantee City success and the midfielder has warned Sunday's opponents that the spirit of champions is not something you can put a price on.
Politics
"Everyone chooses their own politics and everyone decides how to win," said the Spain international, who scored from the penalty spot against Shakhtar in his first appearance since mid-September because of a hamstring injury.
"They have a lot of money. They are taking advantage of it, and that's it.
"It is not our style, but we respect everyone's decision."
Fabregas maintained: "You cannot buy the spirit in one year.
"You need a few years to get everyone together and to get to know each other well, and it's not easy.
"You don't make a team in one season or two.
"But, of course, they are in a very good position.
"They have all the ingredients to become a great club and we have to fight hard against them.
"We have our style, we have the football we want to play and we want to try to win every game like this, whether it is against the richest club in the world or the poorest."
