Barca are Spain in the neck

ARSENE WENGER admits he is not surprised by Barcelona’s latest attempt to unsettle captain Cesc Fabregas.

The Arsenal boss yesterday showed his deep mistrust of the Spanish giants after club president Joan Laporta said he would love to see Fabregas in a Barca shirt.

Wenger, who welcomes back his skipper today after nearly four months on the sidelines with a knee injury, said: “I am not disappointed with the comments. If I was disappointed it would mean I expect other behaviour — but I don’t.

“What is important is how we deal with things inside the club. It is about how much energy we put into achieving things and not worrying about what people say or think.

“What is important is not who stays or goes in July but the next game. It is important we concentrate on the short-term rather than become involved in speculation. We have 25 players and everyone wants them.”

As for the Gunners’ hopes of keeping Fabregas in the summer, Wenger added: “We are in a strong position.”

Since 21-year-old Fabregas got injured against Liverpool on December 21, Arsenal have been on a 16-game unbeaten Premier League run.

Ironically, their last defeat was a 3-0 loss at Manchester City on November 22.

And while Wenger will welcome back star player Fab along with Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott, the French boss insists there is more to the team than his Spanish midfield general.

He said: “Cesc was impatient while he was injured but worked very hard. He knows it is a big challenge to come back and help the team be successful. We are on a good run. We have a good squad.

“We are not a one-man team. We have a squad of 20 young players. In March, they are better than they were in September. If you are 36, you are worse in March than you were in September.

“I am very proud of the players as they have been so strong and now I want to capitalise on that strength in the most important part of the season. We have grown because we have been united during the difficulties.

“During our run, we have had a few 0-0 games and seen teams equalise in the last minute, so we could still have been fighting for the title.”

Fabregas said: “I’m feeling good and I’m available for selection.

“During the past week I’ve felt really sharp — I don’t know if I can cope with 90 minutes in my first game because I haven’t played competitively yet.

“Whether I start or am on the bench, the good thing is we cannot say I am injured anymore. I’ll be very happy because I will feel like a footballer again.

“City are a very good side and I like the way they play but, hopefully, we can get the three points.

“We have to remember what they did to us a few months ago and try to continue our good form because we have eight finals from now on.”

Source: The Sun