Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has explained why he had to allow Cesc Fabregas to leave Emirates Stadium to transfer back to FC Barcelona in 2011.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed FC Barcelona playmaker Cesc Fabregas, but says that he had no choice but to sell the Spaniard in 2011.
“Fabregas said he was very sad when he left Arsenal, and he is not the only one!” wrote Wenger in his column for Yahoo Eurosport.
“I fought with him to keep him but, deep down, I obviously knew. He was raised in Barcelona; his grandfather worked for Barca; he went to all the FCB football classes; they had the best team in the world.
“I surrendered to his will of playing for them, and I think it was completely logical.”
Fabregas has since gone on to win La Liga, the Copa del Rey, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and two Supercopa de Espanas with FC Barcelona, while Arsenal remain trophyless in his absence.
However, the Gunners have a great chance to end that nine year drought this season in the FA Cup. They face Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium this weekend in the semi-final, and either Sheffield United or Hull City will await them in the final.
Given the calibre of their opposition, Arsenal will be firm favourites in both matches, but face a fight to retain fourth place in the Premier League ahead of Everton.