Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is
unfazed by the latest speculation surrounding captain Cesc
Fabregas' future.
The Spain international has been regularly linked with a move
away from the Gunners since he joined the club from Barcelona in
2003.
Many of the rumours have suggested Fabregas could be set to
return to his homeland, but the 21-year-old has consistently
stressed his commitment to Arsenal.
But on Friday, Barca president Joan Laporta confirmed the
Primera Division club's interest in signing Fabregas, with his
words threatening to unsettle the Gunners skipper.
Wenger, though, has brushed aside the speculation and is
remaining focused on the short-term as he attempts to secure fourth
place in the Premier League and seal silverware for the first time
in four years.
He said: "We have answered that question (on Fabregas) for five
years now.
"What is important is that a player like Cesc can come back into
the squad and help us be successful."
"What is important for us is not who stays in July or who goes,
it is how much we focus on the next game.
"It is how well we deal with that kind of thing inside the club;
that is more important than what people say.
"Any distraction would be a weakness from our side and a wrong
excuse. We do not want that.
"We cannot influence what people say, or write or think. We can
influence how much success we can achieve together.
"The period which is in front of us can be a formidable human
experience for our players, and that is what I want it to be."