Cesc Fabregas wanted to rejoin Arsenal before Chelsea: Arsene Wenger

Cesc Fabregas wanted to join Arsenal before he decided to join Chelsea

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas wanted to join Arsenal before he decided to join Chelsea. He also went on to say that there were no ill feelings towards the midfielder, and that he is a player “I love”.

Fabregas will face Arsenal for the first time since he joined Chelsea this Sunday at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard has been one of the best players in the Premier League, as he has hit the ground running in his second stint in the Premier League.

Wenger has also said that he believes that the deal between Fabregas and Chelsea was agreed in early 2014 itself, and that Arsenal chose not to buy Fabregas due to the large number of options they already had in midfield.

When asked if the former Arsenal midfield lynchpin had wanted to return, the Frenchman said, “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] Özil. We were not in need of offensive players.”

He still holds Fabregas very dear, as he said, “Cesc Fàbregas, 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.”

When asked about the 6-0 drubbing Arsenal received in the same fixture last season, he was quite forthcoming, saying, “It was not a bad day, it was a horrendous day. We never forget that day and we have an opportunity to put it right.”