Fabregas: I couldn't give anymore

Former Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has rebutted those who questioned his decision to depart to Barcelona by insisting he simply had to go.

The elegant Spanish playmaker suffered a barrage of criticism and was accused of jumping ship from the Emirates when European Champions Barcelona came calling with a £40million offer.

Having had his commitment to the Gunners' cause questioned ever since he openly expressed his wish to leave North London, Fabregas finally snapped back at his critics.

"I'd given everything for Arsenal," he was quoted as saying in an article from English daily The Sun.

"I played with a broken leg. I played when my grandfather died."

"He died at 7am. The coach said 'Go home' and I said 'No, I want to play."

"I gave everything but you reach a moment when you say: I can't give any more."

Fabregas, 24, revealed that he was devastated to quit Arsenal after spending eight splendid years at the club.

He admitted, "I'll always have that thorn in my side. I wish I had gone having won something."

"People said I took the easy option. I think I took the hardest option."

"I'll have to work twice as hard to win a place."

"When things go bad they get the white hankies out at the final whistle. You go home and don't leave the house."

"In London we lost and I'd still go out and eat."

Fabregas has adapted superbly to life back in his native Spain, having already notched seven goals in 11 league appearances for Barcelona so far.