Cesc Fabregas insists he is staying at Arsenal
and has rejected claims he is line for a return to
Spain.
The Gunners skipper has been linked with a move to former club
Barcelona, where he was a youth team player, and with Spanish
rivals Real Madrid.
But Fabregas, 22, said: "For anyone who is unclear or may have
misunderstood what my position is, let me make myself absolutely
crystal clear.
"My future is at this great club. I am wholeheartedly committed
to Arsenal."
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The midfielder was quoted in reports on Thursday berating his
team-mates' "impotence" in their attempts to win silverware.
Comparing his situation to that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is
poised to leave Manchester United for Real Madrid, Fabregas was
reported to have said: "Cristiano said he's leaving Manchester
United because he had nothing else to win. For me right now it is
the exact opposite, seeing the impotence."
But the Spaniard told Arsenal's website: "I'm not sure how many times I need to talk
directly about my commitment to Arsenal as I continue to say the
same thing over and over again, but it appears that every time I
have spoken to the Spanish media recently, my words have bounced
back to England, leaving question marks about my
future."
Fabregas, whose Arsenal contract expires in 2014, added: "It is
a fact that we have not won a trophy for four years and yes, I am
angry about that, but that anger stems from the deep deep desire I
have to win things with Arsenal.
"I care about this club and believe in this team. I am proud to
captain this team and proud to wear the shirt. It really upsets me
when people express my thoughts otherwise.
"The spirit in this squad is fantastic and we have the ability
and mentality to compete on all fronts for silverware. Make no
mistake, we are focused and determined to show that we are capable
of achieving great things together."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made Fabregas his team captain
last November after William Gallas was stripped of the role.
Fabregas spent the best part of four months on the sidelines in
the middle of last season following a knee problem.
He also became embroiled in a row with members of Hull's
coaching staff who alleged he spat at them following an FA Cup tie
in March.
bbc.
