Fabregas backs Gallas

Cesc Fabregas has backed William Gallas to retain the captain's armband at Arsenal next season.

The Frenchman's position is under threat following a bizarre tantrum during the 2-2 draw against Birmingham in February, a game which saw the Gunners' title dreams begin to fade.

Spain international Fabregas admits that Arsenal's dramatic collapse last season was sparked by the St Andrews debacle, but feels that Gallas is still the ideal candidate to lead the club next term.

However, the ambitious 21-year-old did admit that he would relish the responsibility of skippering the side in the future.

"Maybe that is where all our problems started," he told FourFourTwo magazine.

"We had a month-and-a-half after that game where our heads were not right.

"William is a great captain, I really respect him, and the longer he is giving us the benefit of his experience, the better."

Fabregas added: "I've shown I can take that responsibility and if I was made captain I would give even more - I don't know where I'd get that little extra from but I'd try to find it.

"But I'm only 21. Right now I just want to win something for Arsenal."

Fabregas also revealed that Euro 2008 glory with his country has given him a taste for silverware which he hopes will be satisfied during the 2008/09 campaign.

"Before the Euros I didn't know how it felt to win," he said.

"But now that I have experienced it I know what it takes. You need to have tasted it. Look at Chelsea, they hadn't won anything in many years.

"They got experienced players in, won the league and that gave them experience and confidence together and others followed.

"Sometimes that is the key. Everyone said before last season that we weren't even going to finish amongst the top four and we proved them wrong. But we were halted at the gates of success and that's hard. It has to serve as a lesson this season."

The young Spaniard also has complete faith in Arsene Wenger's transfer policy of buying potential, as opposed to the finished article.

"We sign what we need," he said.

"Sometimes teams pay a fortune for a player with experience, who knows how to win, who at key moments can win you a game - and that's important.

"But at Arsenal there's a different policy and we have to respect that.

"The day we win something with these players, with this policy, this atmosphere and style, there will be a big change - almost a revelation.

"People tell me that we are on course to do that, but we need that stepping stone of winning something, of knowing how to win."

Cesc: Time not right for Real deal

Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas admits he is keen on a move to Real Madrid, but has poured cold water on claims he may quit the Gunners this summer

Reports in Spain suggest Madrid president Ramon Calderon, resigned to missing out on Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, has prepared a big-money offer for the 21-year-old.

But while Fabregas, a product of the Barcelona youth academy, revealed he could move to Madrid in the future, he insists he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium for the time being.

"I didn't tell Ramon Calderon no," he told Spanish sports daily Marca.

"I told him that now wasn't the time to go to Madrid.

"That you are wanted by Madrid, one of the biggest teams in history, is important."

Fabregas enjoyed a great summer as he helped Spain end their 44-year wait for a trophy at Euro 2008.

Domestically, however, for the third year on the trot, the midfielder ended yet another season empty-handed.

And the young star, who feels he would be certain to lift a trophy should he opt for the Spanish champions, admits another season without any silverware could see him head for the exit door.

"To be four seasons without winning any titles would be too much for me," Fabregas added.

"Real Madrid are the favourites to win La Liga this year."

Arsenal's trophy-less season was made even more painful as rivals Manchester United swept all before them at home and in Europe.

Fabregas is in no doubt that the man who made the difference for United would be a big success at the Bernabeu.

"The league and the Champions League that United won this season was because of Cristiano," he continued. "At Madrid he would help them win titles."

Almunia: Ramsey 'Very Similar' To Fabregas

After an impressive season for Cardiff City, during which he helped the Bluebirds to the FA Cup final, Ramsey snubbed the likes of Manchester United and Everton to join Arsene Wenger’s young Gunners this summer.

The 17-year-old has earned rave reviews already during the pre-season. He demonstrated his vision and passing range to great effect during the first half against Barnet recently, giving credence to Wenger’s claim that the youngster’s future lies in central midfield.

The Arsenal manager also hinted that it will not be long before Ramsey makes the step up to the first-team, although it would seem he would have to displace Fabregas – perhaps Europe’s best young playmaker – for that to happen.

But as far as Almunia is concerned, if anyone is going to step in for his fellow Spaniard, then there are few more suitable candidates than Ramsey.

“Aaron is a very good creator of chances, very similar to Fabregas,” the 30-year-old goalkeeper told the press.

“But of course we must remember that he is still very young and he has to learn from people like Cesc, Abou Diaby and the rest of the players that have been here for more time.”

Cesc looks to class of '89

Cesc Fabregas admits he and his Arsenal team-mates can look to The Gunners’ title-winning side of 1989 for inspiration in the coming season.

Fabregas was speaking at the launch of Arsenal’s new away kit which is based on that donned by the side which won the league 19 years ago.

The Euro 2008 winner appeared alongside the hero of that night, Michael Thomas, and could not help but be inspired as Arsenal seek to win The Premier League for the first time in their last five attempts.

“I was only two years old so I know a little, not a lot. But I do know they were legends,” he told Arsenal TV.

“Everyone loved them so we all hope here that we can do the same as that team. It would be amazing, it has to be a great feeling.”

Thomas was also keen to reminisce about the night that he struck the decisive goal in a 2-0 victory over Liverpool which gifted George Graham’s side the title on goal difference.

“The atmosphere George made it was just to relax,” he said. “We were laughing, we were joking.

“The atmosphere afterwards was amazing. Everyone was celebrating, even George!”

The Francesc Fabregas Biography by Edwardo

This video is 4 minute long giving you the entire picture of cesc fabregas's life, so far.


The high quality version of the same video can be downloaded here

Ramsey plans to start against West Brom

Aaron Ramsey has already set his sights on making his Arsenal debut against West Brom on 16th August.

The teenager is currently Arsene Wenger's only summer recruit to a squad which ended the 2007/08 campaign empty-handed.

However, with more new faces expected to arrive before the new season gets under way the former Cardiff midfielder knows that he will have his work cut out if he is to make an impression in the Gunners first-team.

The 17-year-old will report for pre-season training on Friday, along with those members of the squad who did not feature at Euro 2008 or are currently injured.

With an opportunity to make a good first impression, plus plenty of friendly fixtures approaching in the next few weeks, Ramsey sees no reason why he should not be in contention once the top flight action begins again next month.

"Obviously the plan for me is to have a good pre-season and try my hardest to get up to the fitness levels the Premiership requires," said Ramsey in the South Wales Echo.

"I will try my best to get in the starting line-up at the beginning of the season against West Brom.

"I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world, one which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level.

"I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes there."

Ramsey was being chased by a number of Premier League clubs at the time of his move to Arsenal, with childhood heroes Manchester United among those involved in the race for his signature.

However, the Wales U21 international spurned the opportunity to join up with Sir Alex Ferguson's men in favour of joining a side renowned for their development of young talent.

"I supported Manchester United as a youngster but once I had spoken to Arsene Wenger, the way he described the Arsenal set-up and their plans for the future impressed me," added the youngster.

"I just had a gut instinct that the right move for me would be joining Arsenal. It was my decision.

"I thought about where the best place would be for me to develop as a player, and that was Arsenal.

"I don't think too many people wouldn't look forward to coming under the guidance of Arsene Wenger and playing next to someone like Cesc Fabregas.

"Arsene is a great manager and Cesc can make something happen out of nothing on the pitch."

Player of the Season is Cesc Fabregas

The Arsenal.com Player of the Season is Cesc Fabregas. The midfielder deservedly polled 33.26 per cent of vote following his wonderful campaign for club and country. Editor Richard Clarke reflects on the increasing influence of the young Spaniard.

You didn't really think it would be anybody else did you? One in three voters put their online X in the box next to name of Cesc Fabregas and you suspect the other two will have thought about it.

Two seasons ago, the boy became a man. But during the campaign just gone, the man became a force.

Plenty of players have shown the youthful potential to become a footballing megastar - few have done it. Fabregas is not there yet but the trajectory of his career keeps going up and up while the rate of ascent just gets faster.

It is not going too far to suggest his individual display at the San Siro in March was one of the best ever in an Arsenal shirt. Remember this was a Milan side who had dominated Europe over the past five years and had proved their mettle a fortnight earlier with a 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium. Yet Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini overwhelmed, overran (and perhaps ran over) a midfield of world renown. Milan were so impressed with Arsenal's display that night they signed Flamini at the end of the season. Thankfully Fabregas' heart remains in North London.

The Spaniard struck the opening goal that night and his scoring abilities returned with a vengeance last season. He hit 11 in the opening three months of the season including a run of six in successive games.

Arsene Wenger has said goal-scoring is "a disease" Fabregas contracted early in his career and he would never really be cured. However, handy knack though it is, goals do not define his game. In the previous campaign the Spaniard did not hit the net between August and April yet it hardly hampered his form. Goals catch the eye and grab the headlines but the football of Cesc Fabregas has many more facets than that.

For a start he has been the top of the Premier League 'assists table' for the past two seasons. Last term, Arsenal scored 74 goals. Fabregas hit seven himself and directly contributed to another 19. Although not statistically provable, it is highly likely that he played a role in at least 11 more goals. If we can make that assumption, then we can say Fabregas contributed to half the Premier League goals Arsenal scored last season. That’s some feat - but it’s still not his main job.

In fact Fabregas' primary function is to control the tempo of Wenger's Arsenal. The Frenchman asks his side to play a pacy passing game and the 21-year-old is the metronome. To fulfil this role you need all-round abilities - passing, tackling, vision and tenacity.

Having been privileged enough to see Fabregas' debut in the Reserves, I can confirm those qualities have always been apparent. The only difference is the level at which he is operating these days.

For Arsenal, he is now the principal corner-taker on both flanks and takes almost all of the long-range free-kicks.

He also elbowed his way in to the Spanish side during their success Euro 2008 campaign and his shoot-out winning penalty in the Quarter-Final against Italy illustrated the amount of responsibility resting on his relatively young shoulders.

Of course there were many factors behind the success of the previously underachieving Spain this summer. But, along with Fernando Torres, Fabregas is leading a new, different generation, one that has already achieved success at a young age and is now cauterised against the white heat of international competition.

Something similar is needed at Arsenal next season if he wants to match international honours with Club ones. Everyone knows Wenger's side is young, developing and, on the basis of last season's table, closing in on Manchester United and Chelsea. However their points tally still left them third.

With Henry gone, Fabregas became the player to look to last season and he delivered. Yet now his job has gone beyond even that. He may not be captain but Fabregas will be charged with bringing out the best in himself and those around him next season. It is a difficult trick to pull off because as the pivotal player in the side he'll be targeted for special attention.

But all the evidence of his career so far suggests he’ll be more than able to cope.

Fabregas is hopeful that Hleb and Adebayor will stay at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners' pair have been linked with a move to Barcelona as Josep Guardiola rebuilds his recently-acquired squad.

Fabregas, who was an important piece in Spain's Euro 2008 campaign, has said that he prefers that Hleb and Adebayor stay with the team and help overhaul Manchester United in the Premier League.

"Hleb and Adebayor? I hope that when I come back from vacations I will find them at Arsenal, because they are two very important players," he said upon his arrival in Barcelona to celebrate the Euro 2008 trophy.

"I hope that will stay with us, but they are big boys already so they can decide on their future."

Hleb arrived from VfB Stuttgart in 2005, while Adebayor joined one year later, coming from AS Monaco. Both have come on in leaps and bounds over the last 12 months, comfortably stepping into the void left by Freddie Ljungberg and Thierry Henry.

Arsene Wenger is determined to keep both of them despite some rather explosive utterances from their agents.

Fabregas dedicates Spain's European success to Arsenal fans

Cesc Fabregas dedicated his Euro 2008 winners' medal to Arsenal fans and is determined to win them a trophy of their own next season.

The midfielder helped Spain beat Germany 1-0 and believes it makes up for the misery of missing out on silverware with the Gunners last term.

Arsenal had at one stage seemed on course for the Treble and Fabregas still feels the pain of that setback as well as the 2006 Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona.

But he believes Spain's attractive style of football - reminiscent of the Gunners - proves Arsene Wenger's men are on the right track.

He said: 'This was the happiest day of my life as a professional footballer.

'But this is also for the Arsenal fans that have been suffering a lot this year.

'For them, at least one player has won something. It is for them.

'It also makes up for Paris. I can see there is a massive difference between losing and winning in a final.

'Even if they say being a finalist is important, there is no way you can replace the feeling of winning.

'I finally made something at a young age, I never expected it to be with Spain.

'Now I want to do it with Arsenal.'

Fabregas can see a lot of comparisons between Spain and Arsenal, not least in the way both teams simply refuse to play a longball game and always stick to their footballing principles.

He said: 'I haven't seen in a long time a team playing such beautiful football get a trophy as big as this.

'Now at Arsenal we have more or less the same quality of game so hopefully the football will also get better and better for Arsenal.'

Fabregas is crowned European champion

Cesc Fabregas is a European champion.

The 21-year-old was part of the Spain side that, on Sunday night in Vienna, comprehensively outplayed Germany to win Euro 2008 and scoop their first major title in 44 years.

Cesc celebrates at the final whistle

Fabregas gets the party started!

Cesc with the King of Spain

Cesc holds aloft the famous trophy

Fabregas and Spain captain Casillas

Fabregas celebrates with the fans

Fabregas: Barca must show respect

Cesc Fabregas has hit out at Barcelona over their pursuit of several of his Arsenal team-mates, and has told the club to show "more respect"

Barca have been linked with a number of Arsenal's top players this summer, with forward Emmanuel Adebayor and midfielder Alexander Hleb the most talked about targets in the Spanish media.

The amount of speculation coming out of Spain regarding the duo has upset Fabregas, who told Catalunya Radio that such reports unsettle players and that the London club would not act in such a public manner.

"A club like Barca should show a bit more respect to the intimacy of a club like Arsenal that never make a lot of noise (over transfers) and who always try to do things properly," the former Barcelona trainee said.

"In the last few weeks it's come out that Barca are in for at least seven Arsenal players and there's no need for that.

"These things cause doubts in the mind of the players and unsettle us.

"Arsenal do things differently, always in secret, and that's much more normal.

"They shouldn't do things so that everybody knows about it. If the player wants to go he'll go anyway."

Fabregas, who upset Barcelona when he joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003, revealed that he had spoken to his team-mates about the speculation and said he would support them whatever their decision.

"I've spoken to one of the players who's being spoken about, he's a friend of mine and I've wished him all the best if he stays or if he goes," he added.

"Hleb and Adebayor should do the best for their future and to be happiest, but I'd like them to stay at Arsenal."

Wenger expects Cesc boost

Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal will reap the benefits from Cesc Fabregas’ efforts for Spain at Euro 2008.

Fabregas has been forced to settle for a substitute’s role at Euro 2008, but he has climbed off the bench on three occasions and hit the target.

The midfielder showed his mental toughness when slotting home the decisive penalty in Spain’s win over Italy and Wenger feels it was a key moment for the 21-year-old.

”I prayed that Cesc would score,” said Wenger. “It was a great responsibility for him, all the more because he is not a specialist penalty taker.

”It was a great moment of joy for me when he scored and it was important for him.

”He will grow in confidence as a result and both Spain and Arsenal will reap the benefit.

”He showed real guts to take it as players who miss in these situations are haunted for a long time.”

Penalty hero Fabregas backs Arsenal to triumph this summer

Cesc Fabregas has spoken of his joy at sending Spain into the semi-finals of Euro 2008, while confirming that he will remain at Arsenal.

Fabregas, on as a substitute, netted from the penalty spot as Spain claimed a shoot-out victory over world champions Italy on Sunday evening.

And the 21-year-old schemer is sure Luis Aragones' men have what it takes to advance past Russia on Thursday and go on to claim European Championship glory.

On his penalty, Fabregas told Sky Sports News: "It was a great feeling. It was probably the most important goal I have scored.

"As a footballer you never know if you are going to feel like this again.

"The team has worked really hard to get here. It reminds me a little bit of Arsenal: the unity of the team, the togetherness, the quality of our game and the great players.

"I think we can do something special. The semi-final is going to be difficult because Russia are a great team. They are very competitive and young. We will have to be at our best."

When asked about his future at Emirates Stadium, Fabregas replied: "Of course I am staying, definitely.

"I am very much looking forward to next season. We have a good team but let's go game-by-game.

"If we give 100 per cent every game we can win something."

Hleb must stay - Cesc

Arsenal hero Cesc Fabregas has expressed his admiration for Alexander Hleb and the midfielder is hopeful the Belarusian will continue to deliver killer passes for The Gunners.

Marseille’s Samir Nasri is tipped to replace the Belarus international, but Fabregas would rather see the number 13 remain a Gunner ‘for years’.

The Spaniard has hailed Hleb and called his friend an ‘underrated player’.

“I have always said that Hleb is an incredible footballer and what he has done is underrated, well, everything that he DOES, because he is still an Arsenal player,” Fabregas told El Pais.

“That kind of footballer deserves more credit.

“But I tell it to you, he is an incredible footballer.

“I hope we’ll carry on playing together for years.”

Cesc wants Villa arrival at Arsenal

After seeing David Villa blow Russia away with a hat-trick on Tuesday night, Cesc Fabregas admitted he would be happy to see his international team-mate join Arsenal this summer.

Villa played the starring role in Spain’s 4-1 victory in Innsbruck as he scored three times, with Fabregas setting up his hat-trick goal and then going on to claim his first strike at international level.

The Valencia striker is ready to leave the Mestalla after a disappointing season for the Spanish club and Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been linked with a possible move.

However, Fabregas hopes that Villa’s third goal against Russia is a glimpse into the future for Arsenal as he is keen to see the 26-year-old move to Emirates Stadium over the summer.

"He would be amazing for the English league,'' Fabregas said.

"I would like to have him in my team because as you can see he can make the difference.

"He's an amazing player. He has mobility, he scores goals ... he plays well at the back of defenders, in front of them, he's a tremendous player.”

Fabregas was a substitute on his 27th appearance for his country but came on for Fernando Torres and wrapped up the scoring with a diving header in injury time.

The Catalan’s international form has often failed to match the level of excellence he enjoys in North London and Fabregas expressed his delight at breaking his duck for La Furia Roja.

"It means a lot to me, the first goal in 27 games,” Fabregas added. “It was time.”

Wenger thrilled with Fabregas's progression

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed his delight at Cesc Fabregas continuing to develop as a player in the game that he believes is gearing towards athletes.

With pace and athleticism such a factor in the modern game, the French tactician believes some clubs are more inclined to go for someone who is well built ahead of their ability on the ball.

Wenger has acknowledged Spain international Fabregas is not the quickest in the game, but he does not mind as his understanding of the game and intelligence on the pitch makes him a quality player.

"His intention is always to play football, and that is fantastic to see at a young age," stated Wenger. "I see him every day, and he has a great understanding of the game.

"I like it that in a period where football is going more towards the athletes only, as long as you have the quality, you don't have to run 100 metres in 10 seconds.

"Intelligence still means a lot - and in the modern game where everyone is quick and strong, it's good that players of average size can still play at the top level and be the best players."

Fernando Torres praises Cesc Fabregas

Fernando Torres believes his dream partnership with Cesc Fabregas can turn Spain into European champions.

The Liverpool superstar has struck up a great understanding with the Arsenal maestro on the pitch.

And he believes that it will prove fundamental in Spain’s bid for Euro glory.

Torres told SunSport: “Playing with Cesc is like a dream. He understands the way I move and where I want the ball.

“It’s so easy and it gives me great confidence. We all know that Cesc is already one of the best midfielders in the world.

“It’s easy to play with someone who has vision but also the ability to put the ball exactly where he wants.

“He spots my runs and sends the ball right in front of me. I am confident it will all come together for us in the European Championships.

“Our understanding on the pitch is great. Spain has great quality and Cesc is among the best in the world. We hope he comes forth in the Euro and is at the level he’s used to performing for Arsenal. It’s a luxury to be able to play with him.

Wenger: Fabregas and Adebayor going nowhere

An adamant Arsene Wenger claims Milan will ‘get the answer they deserve’ if the Rossoneri's public declaration of interest in Emmanuel Adebayor ends with a phone call to the Arsenal manager.

Vice-president Adriano Galliani has made no secret of his side's interest in Adebayor but Wenger has been angered more than once this summer by clubs publicly sounding out his star players.

Wenger is still attempting to fend off interest from Inter and Barcelona in the apparently wantaway Alexander Hleb.

Adebayor has issued statements that are open to interpretation regarding his future, but Wenger insists that the Togo striker is going nowhere.

"Adebayor's under firm contract. If AC Milan are interested they just have to call me and get the answer they deserve," Wenger said.

Wenger also issued assurances regarding the future of Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal’s much-admired Spaniard has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid.

"Fabregas will be at Arsenal next season - that looks obvious to me," added Wenger.

Fabregas Now A 'Great European Player'

Arsenal.com, the official website of the Gunners, for whom Cesc Fabregas has become a pivotal player, has been asking reporters from each of the countries who will have Arsenal players involved at Euro 2008, to assess the Gunners concerned.

And Inigo Gurruchaga of Spanish newspaper El Correo spoke to the website about midfielder Fabregas.

Asked what the perception of Fabregas was in his native Spain, Gurruchaga replied: "There has been a real transformation of this young guy from a promising player into a great European player and certainly one of the best Spanish players."

He added: "From last summer to this one, or the last couple of seasons, people are no longer saying that perhaps Fabregas will be useful, now people are relying on him to do a heavy workload, to take the team on his shoulders."

Nevertheless, Fabregas himself said this week, ahead of the Euro 2008 kick-off, that he was not sure of his starting place in the Spain side, and Gurruchaga echoed this when he said: "I am not sure whether Fabregas will be one of the first names on the team-sheet because Spain has the same problem they had at the World Cup in 2006. They have so much quality in midfield but they have to find the right balance."

Gurruchaga criticised Spain's team manager, Luis Aragones, saying he had been unable to solve that problem, and had "made a mess" of the World Cup 2006 quarter-final against France.

"In the first group game they won 4-1 and the combination of Marcos Senna and Xabi Alonso worked well. Everyone was enthusiastic, because the Spanish press is like the English press, they said 'now we are going to beat everybody'. But Luis never played the same combination. Fabregas came into the team and suddenly all the technical players played together, it was seen as a very risky strategy. Spain basically said 'we will play our game' so they had Alonso, Xavi and Fabregas, and that's one reason why France beat Spain."

Asked whom he thought Aragones would select, Gurruchaga replied: "I think he has to have Senna and Xabi Alonso or Senna and Fabregas and I think that is the big question. He has to play a player who can help recover the ball alongside Fabregas or Alonso because that has worked very well in my opinion. It works for other teams with Javier Mascherano at Liverpool and Mathieu Flamini or Gilberto at Arsenal.

"What I will say in favour of Fabregas is that he can be useful on the right or the left too. He has more pace than Alonso. I don't know what I would choose, it is a difficult one because you have to get the balance right, but it is a happy dilemma for the manager."

When Arsenal.com asked Gurruchaga how important Fabregas had been in Spain's qualifying campaign, he replied: "He has been a regular, in terms of minutes played he has featured more than Alonso.

"Senna is only just coming back to the Spanish team now while David Albelda was in great turmoil at Valencia, and both are good recovery players. Ruben Baraja is over the hill now in terms of pace and age, but Albelda has been crucial for Spain in terms of recovering the ball. But he wasn't playing for Valencia because of a dispute so that helps Fabregas in terms of being a regular at Euro 2008."

Can Spain win the competition? According to Gurruchaga, everyone knows that Spain are capable of winning Euro 2008.

"There can always be a surprise but if Spain are there then they can win it. They need to get it together in the short time you have at a major tournament, you have to get a good result at the beginning and get into tune, but everyone knows Spain have the quality if they get into the groove.

"If they get over-excited, if there are changes in the team, tensions in the camp or the manager is angry with players... all of these things can stop them, but everyone who knows anything about football knows that Spain can do it. They have failed constantly to prove themselves beyond the quarter-finals but this could be their year."

Asked if the Spanish team are stronger than they were at the 2006 World Cup, he told Arsenal.com: "I am not sure if they are better than two years ago.

"Torres is a better player, he is more experienced now, he is a grown-up. Xavi's quality has not been as good this season but he is a top Barcelona player. Fabregas is better than in 2006, Senna is a good player, Ramos in defence and Casillas in goal are still strong. There is no Raul, despite Madrid's players pressing for it, so it is a younger squad but we will wait and see."

Fabregas - I will stay

Cesc Fabregas has pledged his future to Arsenal because he would 'love' to win the Premier League.

The Spanish midfielder starred for Arsenal last season as Arsene Wenger's young side narrowly missed out on domestic and European glory.

And that form is believed to have made Fabregas a top summer target of the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Milan.

However, the 21-year-old is adamant that he will not be following Milan-bound Mathieu Flamini or Alexander Hleb, who looks set to move to Internazionale, out of Emirates Stadium.

"I will stay at Arsenal," Fabregas said in The Sun. "My coach asked me and I told him he had my confidence.

"I'd love to win the Premier League and I am one of those players who fight for what they want until they achieve it."