Puyol "Anybody who tries to convince
themselves Cesc wanted to stay at Arsenal is wrong."
"After seven years of great service, I thought Arsenal could
have granted him his dream move."
Puyol accepts his fellow Spanish World Cup star will remain at
the Emirates for another 12 months. But the Gunners will view these
latest controversial comments as another shameless attempt by Barca
to try to destabilise the situation and hasten Fabregas' departure
for the Nou Camp.
Fabregas, who has been on holiday in Ibiza, is due to meet boss
Wenger next week, report for the team photo and then start his
pre-season.
Yet Puyol added: "Cesc has given everything to Arsenal to try to
win a trophy but they haven't matched his expectations. "I won't
say he is in a prison, as we know how privileged we are as football
players. "But after how clear Cesc made it that he wanted to be in
Barcelona, I thought they would have granted him that."
Wenger, whose team face AC Milan in the Emirates Cup tomorrow,
has insisted this week that Fabregas is staying - despite the
'noises' coming from Spain.
Even so, Puyol, who forced Fabregas to wear a Barcelona shirt
during Spain's World Cup celebrations, insisted: "We all thought a
deal would be done this summer. "But Arsenal have refused to talk
and we are going to have to wait another year to get Cesc home.
"He is far too classy a guy to say it but the truth is he
doesn't want to be at Arsenal this season. His heart is already in
Barcelona, even though we must wait another year for his body to be
here.
"We know he is arriving next season. Barcelona have a whole year
to sort the deal out. "He is professional enough still to have a
great season and also because he has a lot of respect for the
Arsenal fans. "But anybody who tries to convince themselves he
wanted to stay at Arsenal is wrong."
Puyol's fellow Barca centre-back Gerard Pique, who has been
holidaying with Fabregas, said: "I know Cesc wants to win titles
with Barca and I want him here this summer. "I understand why
Arsenal reject the sale. Cesc is a very difficult player to
replace. "But I do not feel a club should keep a footballer who
wants to leave. Especially in this case, where Cesc has done
everything for Arsenal."
