Cesc Fabregas revealed he had to leave as he does not
believe Arsenal can end their trophy drought
CESC FABREGAS has put the boot into former club
Arsenal by saying they face a bleak future behind the Manchester
teams and Chelsea.
Wenger knew in the final months of last season that
Fabregas had lost faith in his promise to deliver a young team who
could first take over the Premier League and then go on to rule
Europe.
But to hear Fabregas publicly say it will be tough for
Wenger. The Frenchman protected the 24-year-old throughout this
summer’s negotiations with Barca.
So Wenger might wonder why Fabregas has chosen to cast
doubt over Arsenal’s future just when the beleaguered boss needs
shielding from his critics.
Fabregas also claimed that Wenger is suffering similar
frustrations after seeing Samir Nasri refuse to sign a new contract
and quit for Manchester City.
“I needed a change in my life, that’s the truth,”
Fabregas told Sport magazine. “We weren’t winning any titles and it
was very frustrating for me. I didn’t feel like I was developing
any more as I should do.
“I want to be in a club that is able to win the big
titles year after year and I don’t see that kind of future for
Arsenal. I still have many feelings for Arsenal, but I fear that
they won’t be able to push the other big clubs in England away.
“If you look at the team this season I can’t see them
finishing in front of Manchester United or City. Or Chelsea.
There’s just too big a gulf between the squads.
“I respect that Arsenal don’t have the same financial
opportunities as the others, but it was part of my decision to
leave that I find it hard to see Arsenal winning the Premier League
or Champions League in the near future.
“I understand [Wenger’s] frustrations. It’s not easy
seeing City getting every player they want because they have a rich
owner.
“I hope Arsenal will replace me and the others that
have left with some quality players, and maybe they can take the
club back to their level as champions.
“I want to win some of the big titles with Barca.
That’s one of the main reasons why I’m here. I can win the Spanish
League and the Champions League with this club, and that’s what I’m
dreaming of.”
Arsenal insisted on having a buy-back clause inserted
into the Fabregas deal, which gives them first option to re-sign
him if Barca ever decide to sell. Fabregas, however, added: “I
enjoyed my time in Arsenal, I had some great years there. I
finished as captain of the club and I will still follow the club
and their results. I don’t know if it’s realistic that I would
return one day. But maybe I said the same when I left Barca, so you
never know.
“Leaving Arsene Wenger was one of the hardest things
for me. I owe a lot to him. I still remember him quitting his
vacation to come and watch me as a 16-year-old.
“He came and saw things in me that I didn’t feel Barca
did at that point. I thanked him for many great years together when
we said goodbye.
“But this is where my heart belongs. I have known that
for a long time, but I never knew if it would be possible to return
to Barca.”
Wenger has revealed he expects defender Thomas
Vermaelen, who is recovering from surgery on his ankle, to be
available for the clash against Sunderland on October 16.