Soccer:Cesc Fabregas claims it is "hard to see" Arsenal winning the Premier League or Champions League "in the near future".

The Spain international returned to boyhood club Barcelona this summer in what proved to be a drawn-out affair.

Fabregas maintains he will always hold a special place in his heart for the Gunners, whom he joined as a raw teenager in 2003, but the 24-year-old admits uncertainly over the club’s short-term goals did play a part in his decision to leave.

Speaking to the latest issue of ‘Sport’ magazine, he 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.”

Fabregas added: “I hope they will replace me and the others that have left with some quality players and maybe they can take Arsenal back to their level as champions.”

151510 SEP 11