Wenger: Fabregas wanted Arsenal return... but we didn't want him

Posted Saturday, October 04, 2014 by Goal.com

The Spain international completed a £30 million move to Chelsea in the summer but the 64-year-old claims that his former captain was keen to return to the Gunners

Arsene Wenger claims that Cesc Fabregas wanted to return to Arsenal before joining Chelsea but says he was not interested in re-signing the midfielder.

The former Gunners captain swapped Barcelona for Stamford Bridge in a £30 million deal in the summer - a transfer Wenger believes was agreed in early 2014 - having spent eight years in north London.

Yet Wenger holds no animosity towards Fabregas, and insists that he "loves" the Spain international, despite choosing not to activate the buy-back clause in the star's Barca contract.

When asked if Fabregas wanted to return to Arsenal, Wenger told reporters: “Certainly, yes. I don’t want to make a big story of that because you have to accept that. I personally believe that deal was done a long time ago, early 2014, and all the other speculation is just made up.

"I didn’t speak to him directly. I was informed that he might go to Chelsea. Everybody has the freedom to go where he wants.

"When he left [for Barcelona] we bought [Mesut] Ozil. We were not in need of offensive players. We have [Santi] Cazorla, we have [Jack] Wilshere, we have [Aaron] Ramsey, we have [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain who were all offensive players.

"It makes sense if you just look at the balance of the team. I think that's a decision that is easy to understand.

"Cesc Fabregas, when he looks back at his career, he will find that Arsenal and myself had a very positive influence on his career. I have no personal animosity against Fàbregas. He is a person I love and a player I love. [He deserves a] respectful welcome. Everybody respects Cesc here and I want him to get the welcome he deserves."

Wenger also addressed the speculation regarding Lukas Podolski, after the Germany international hinted he would leave the Emirates Stadium if his desire to play regularly is not satisfied.

The striker has played just 128 minutes this term and said "a change must occur" if he did not play more often.

"It is quite simple. There is no transfer market at the moment," Wenger explained.

"We are all on board to get a result on Sunday."