Pires: Only Fabregas Will Decide Whether He Leaves Arsenal

Ex-Gunner says it's all up to Cesc.

Feb 19, 2010 6:53:00 PM

By Mick Maguire

More On :  Arsenal, Cesc Fàbregas
Robert Pires, Villarreal (Marca)

Former Arsenal star Robert Pires has insisted that, ultimately, only Cesc Fabregas himself can decide whether or not he leaves north London for Barcelona.

Don't Miss

Rumours continue to mount regarding the Spanish midfielder's future at the Emirates Stadium, with his suitors at the Camp Nou seeming increasingly confident of recapturing their one-time youth product.

And while Pires knows that the Gunners will do everything they can to keep hold of Fabregas, he feels that the choice is not theirs to make.

According to The Mirror, the Villarreal told French radio: “I know Arsenal and Arsene Wenger so well and it will not be an easy operation for Barcelona.

“It’s not just about money. There is also the sporting question and Arsenal need to be successful to keep players happy.

“Barcelona is a great club, they have an intelligent manager, great fans and president and yet the decision is up to Cesc.

“A place is not guaranteed in the starting line-up and Cesc is not a player who wants to be playing just 20 or 30 minutes in a game whereas his place is guaranteed in the Arsenal XI.

“That is the choice for him. He loves London, is captain of Arsenal and is a great player for them. But everyone knows his feeling for Barcelona and it is a decision that only he can make.”

For all the latest transfer news visit Goal.com's Transfer Zone.
Follow Goal.com on Twitter
Follow Goal.com on Facebook
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
Comments
20 Comments
 
Advertisement
play pause open close
Inside Goal.Com
  1. RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February

    The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.

  2. DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream

    In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.

  3. ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein

    Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.

  4. LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction

    With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?

  5. ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment

    Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.

 
Advertisement
Advertisement