Fabregas backs Wenger warning
442 Staff - Tuesday 24 November 2009, 17:12
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas agrees with manager Arsene Wenger that players should be focusing on their club rather than country despite the possible distraction of next year’s World Cup.
The Spaniard’s comments follow Wenger’s warning to the Gunners' players to take one eye off the attraction next summer as, ultimately, they are paid to play well for Arsenal.
And Fabregas – who is expected to represent the Euro 2008 winners in South Africa – clearly understands his manager’s dilemma.
The Arsenal skipper believes impressing at club level will only help his cause for a place in the finals and has urged his team-mates to follow his example.
“He [Wenger] wants Arsenal to do well and the international teams are secondary,” Fabregas said, according to BBC Sport.
Wenger’s remarks came after Dutch striker Robin van Persie returned from international duty injured.
The Frenchman also aired fears that Theo Walcott might be overused after the 20-year-old was involved in both Fabio Capello’s senior team and the England U21s during the summer.
Fabregas has been in scintillating form for the Gunners so far this term and is determined to please Wenger by maintaining his superb form in preparation for next summer’s showpiece.
“Sometimes I don’t play for Spain – I am on the bench. So definitely I want to play well for Arsenal to start in the World Cup,” he added.
“Definitely on my mind in a World Cup year is to play well with Arsenal and be a starter for Spain.”