Arsene Wenger has told captain Cesc Fabregas the best way to follow up his World Cup glory is to help Arsenal win the Premier League this season (Arsenal 7/1 – Premier League 2010/11 Outright).
The gifted midfielder helped Spain to become world champions in South Africa earlier in the summer with his club future in the balance.
Fabregas, 23, is wanted by former club Barcelona whose stars – including Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol – have all gone on record backing the deal.
The Gunners, naturally, do not want to lose their best player although Fabregas himself is understood to be keen to make the move to his boyhood club.
However, Wenger insists Fabregas still has his whole career in front of him and wants the versatile midfielder on board for a title tilt in 2010/11.
The Frenchman said: “The best way to show you are committed is that you give your best when you walk on the football pitch and he has always done that.
“When you sign a contract it means we are committed to a player to pay him and keep him no matter what happens.
“There is a great attitude and spirit inside the squad and Cesc Fabregas can help us achieve these targets.
“He is now at an age, 23 years old, and he has just won the World Cup. I believe he will grow in authority again for next season.”
Wenger added: “The biggest achievement for him now is to help us win the championship.”
Arsenal have not won the Premier League since 2004 and their last silverware came a year later when they beat Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup final (Arsenal 7/1 – FA Cup 2010/11 Outright).
They continue their build-up to the new season in the Emirates Cup without Fabregas who has not returned to training yet after the World Cup.
Wenger’s men take on AC Milan on Saturday evening with fellow midfielders Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alex Song also ruled out with slight knocks (Arsenal 8/11, draw 12/5, AC Milan 16/5 – 90 minutes).
Wenger told reporters: “You will see some young players like Emmanuel Frimpong and Jack Wilshere, also the new players like Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny.
“It will be good to see them in a competitive environment. That will be interesting.
“I will also learn what condition we are in physically, because we have worked quite hard and with two weeks to go it is important that we can last in the games.
“The third point is how ready are we with our team play? How sharp is our passing, and quick movement off the ball?”
Celtic and Lyon are also involved in this summer’s Emirates Cup.
Wenger wants Fab year in league
The gifted midfielder helped Spain to become world champions in South Africa earlier in the summer with his club future in the balance.
Fabregas, 23, is wanted by former club Barcelona whose stars – including Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol – have all gone on record backing the deal.
The Gunners, naturally, do not want to lose their best player although Fabregas himself is understood to be keen to make the move to his boyhood club.
However, Wenger insists Fabregas still has his whole career in front of him and wants the versatile midfielder on board for a title tilt in 2010/11.
The Frenchman said: “The best way to show you are committed is that you give your best when you walk on the football pitch and he has always done that.
“When you sign a contract it means we are committed to a player to pay him and keep him no matter what happens.
“There is a great attitude and spirit inside the squad and Cesc Fabregas can help us achieve these targets.
“He is now at an age, 23 years old, and he has just won the World Cup. I believe he will grow in authority again for next season.”
Wenger added: “The biggest achievement for him now is to help us win the championship.”
Arsenal have not won the Premier League since 2004 and their last silverware came a year later when they beat Manchester United on penalties in the FA Cup final (Arsenal 7/1 – FA Cup 2010/11 Outright).
They continue their build-up to the new season in the Emirates Cup without Fabregas who has not returned to training yet after the World Cup.
Wenger’s men take on AC Milan on Saturday evening with fellow midfielders Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alex Song also ruled out with slight knocks (Arsenal 8/11, draw 12/5, AC Milan 16/5 – 90 minutes).
Wenger told reporters: “You will see some young players like Emmanuel Frimpong and Jack Wilshere, also the new players like Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny.
“It will be good to see them in a competitive environment. That will be interesting.
“I will also learn what condition we are in physically, because we have worked quite hard and with two weeks to go it is important that we can last in the games.
“The third point is how ready are we with our team play? How sharp is our passing, and quick movement off the ball?”
Celtic and Lyon are also involved in this summer’s Emirates Cup.
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