Soccer:Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has denied giving an interview in which he was quoted as saying it was "hard to see" former club Arsenal winning the Premier League or Champions League "in the near future."

The Spanish international, who returned to his boyhood club this summer, was reported to have told Sport magazine that uncertainty over the Gunners’ short-term goals played a part in his decision to leave. However, the 24-year-old took to his Twitter account last night to deny ever making such comments.

He tweeted: “I’d never speak 1 bad word about AFC, once more proving that so many people put in newspaper what they want and it’s not professional. I want Arsenal to be successful as much as every single fan. That’s not why I left; it was never in my mind. AFC made me who I am today.

“And nobody will ever change that. I never gave any interview since my press conference at my presentation and there I just said the truth and what came out of my heart. Great words about this great football club because that just what they deserve: success and trophies.

“People can hate me for leaving or remember that I gave my all for the club. But me talking one bad word or saying something against AFC will not seen.”

Fabregas was quoted by ‘Sport’ magazine as having said: “I want to be in a club that is able to win the big titles year after year and I don't see that kind of future for Arsenal. I still have many feelings for Arsenal, but I fear that they won’t be able to push the other big clubs in England away.

“If you look at the team this season I can’t see them finishing in front of teams like Manchester United or (Manchester) City, or Chelsea. There’s just too big a difference between the squads. I respect that Arsenal don’t have the same financial opportunities as the others, but it was part of my decision to leave that I find it hard to see Arsenal winning the Premier League or Champions League in the near future.”