Wenger questions Fabregas' focus

SOCCER:THIERRY HENRY has told Arsenal they should not be concerned if Cesc Fabregas leaves for Barcelona.

Arsenal’s record goalscorer makes a playing return to his former club this weekend with the New York Red Bulls for the Emirates Cup tomorrow. Henry was asked if there can be a fixation with big-name players such as Fabregas, as there had been with himself and Patrick Vieira when they departed Arsenal.

Henry said: “Whichever team you play in, it is a team effort. In our time, we had a great team. It was not down to one, two, three, four, five, six or seven players. It is a team effort – that’s it.”

Wenger has been moved to question publicly for the first time whether Fabregas, who will not play this weekend, is totally committed to Arsenal.

The French man said: “I’m just worried that the player has to be completely focused and committed to our club.”

While Barcelona are yet to return with an improved offer after a €31 million bid was turned down earlier in the summer, Wenger was unclear regarding whether Arsenal could wait until the transfer window closes.

“Frankly I don’t know,” he said. “Because as I told you I don’t master completely the situation – it depends on Cesc. I think he’s in a moment when he thinks about it and it is a big concern.

“I always say he is torn between two loves – the club where he has been educated as a very young boy, and the club where he has been educated from 16 onwards and he has been given a chance.”

Regarding the future of Samir Nasri, Wenger confirmed he hopes the French playmaker will stay: “Yes, of course. Samir loves the club.” Wenger said he admires Valencia’s Juan Mata – “I like the player, but that does not mean we will buy him” – and Phil Jagielka, but would also not be drawn on the Everton defender. “The player is under contract at Everton. If we want to buy a player, we need first the agreement of the club.”

Wenger also made another barbed remark about Manchester City, whose big spending has continued with Sergio Aguero. “There are two categories of club - those who travel with sweat and those who travel with petrol. We are those who travel with sweat.”

GuardianService