Cesc Fabregas has no doubts that Arsenal will challenge for
the title next season and says the club will 'definitely' cope with
the loss of Thierry Henry.
And the Spain midfielder believes Arsene Wenger will remain at
Emirates Stadium for many years to come.
Arsenal came in for criticism last year after failing to win any
silverware and finishing 21 points behind champions Manchester
United.
But Fabregas, who recently turned down a move to Real Madrid,
believes the young side will be ready to compete for the Premier
League title this season.
"We are Arsenal," he told the club's official website. "We are one
of the most important teams in Europe.
"Definitely we have to be fighting for the title because it would
not be Arsenal if we are not doing this."
He added: "Collectively this side is very good. That is what we
have to keep showing to ourselves, that we are good enough to fight
for everything."
Many have questioned the impact of captain Henry's departure to
Barcelona, but Fabregas remains optimistic.
Asked if the club can cope with Henry's departure, he said:
"Definitely. Thierry has been really, really important to this club
over the past eight years.
"We have scored a lot of goals because of him but now he is gone
and we have to move on. We wish him all the best at
Barcelona.
"But we have a great set of world-class players. We should not have
a problem if we are all going the same way 100 per cent.
"But of course we know that Thierry will be a big miss."
Wenger's future has also been under scrutiny since David Dein left
the club, and Fabregas has said on several occasions that he could
follow his manager out of Arsenal should he leave.
However, while he admits it is Wenger's decision, he is confident
the Frenchman will stay.
"We all hope he is going to stay because I don't think this club
would have the same philosophy of playing football [without him].
And of course it would be a big miss for the club.
"He has brought most of us here and given us the opportunity. But
we don't have to worry about that. It is his future and he can
decide for himself.
"But we all believe he is going to stay for a lot of years."