Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
insists Cesc Fabregas will be at the Emirates Stadium next
season.
Fabregas has been the subject of speculation in the Spanish media
about a move to Real Madrid, but Wenger is confident the
20-year-old will be at the heart of the Gunners' midfield for the
next Barclays Premiership campaign.
Wenger told Spanish newspaper: 'Cesc is going to spend the next
year with Arsenal.'
Fabregas trained with Barcelona before joining Arsenal four years
ago and seeing his development accelerate.
The Spain international has been the focal point of Wenger's
midfield this season, leading to inevitable speculation regarding a
return to his native country.
While Wenger is confident Fabregas will not move to Spain, Julio
Baptista is set to return to the Bernabeu following his season with
Arsenal.
The future of Jose Antonio Reyes, who was loaned to Madrid in the
other direction, appears more uncertain as he has consistently
repeated his wish to remain in Spain.
Wenger's options in attack will be complicated further next season
as Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to play for Togo in the African
Nations.
It could give Theo Walcott a chance to shine. The 18-year-old is
determined to impress after scoring his first goal for Arsenal in
the Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea.
He said: 'It was a big disappointment not to win the Carling Cup
but it shows what the young players can do and hopefully we can do
it again.
'And I'm sure if we work hard we will be right up there in the
title race too.'
