Arsenal tell Cesc Fabregas he is expected back for pre-season training in August

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By Wayne Veysey | Chief correspondent

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Arsenal have told Cesc Fabregas he must return to pre-season training at the start of next month.

The World Cup winner continued his celebrations with his Spain colleagues last night following their victory over Holland and will go on holiday while his club fend off Barcelona’s prolonged interest in him.

Arsene Wenger has told his captain he can have three weeks to recover from his exertions in South Africa before returning to the club’s London Colney training base to prepare for the new season in the week starting August 2.

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The Arsenal manager has pencilled Fabregas in to play some part in the club’s friendly against Legia Warsaw on 7 August ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser against Liverpool on 15 August.

Fabregas will not take any part in the Emirates Cup fixtures against AC Milan and Celtic in the last weekend of July, although there is a possibility he could watch the high profile friendlies from the stands.

Wenger’s edict reinforces Arsenal’s message that Fabregas is not for sale and that the club captain is a key part of the manager’s plans for the new campaign.

There was further embarrassment for Fabregas and Arsenal when Barca defenders Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique forcibly pulled a Barcelona shirt over his head as the Spain squad celebrated their World Cup triumph in front of 200,000 people in Madrid on Monday night.

In an attempt to soothe relations with the club and Arsenal fans, Fabregas today claimed nothing more should be read into what was just a practical joke.

"These are things that happen at special moments, and I don't think it should be gone on about much more because it was just another anecdote of a great night, a great celebration," said Fabregas.

"There are times we do not even know what we do, so everything can be forgiven. Pepe [Reina] took me there [to the front of the stage], the truth is that I didn't know anything like that was going to happen and so I was a bit surprised.

"At first I thought it was a flag or something, but it's nothing. You had to enjoy it and if it's a way to have fun, it's nothing."

Fabregas was slightly more serious when questioned further about where he will be playing next season.

Barcelona have had one £29 million bid for the midfielder rejected by Arsenal and are expected to maintain their chase by returning with an offer of around £35m.

Fabregas said: "I think now the less said about the subject the better, because these things are worse for everyone when they come to light and people talk more about the matter. Right now we have to be very calm and what will be will be."