Wenger demands respect from Barca
Arsene Wenger has called on Barcelona to show some respect in their public pursuit of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, but accepts there is little else his team can do but ride out all the constant speculation.
Fabregas, who is nursing a hamstring injury, was a noticeable absentee from the first game of Arsenal’s Asia tour yesterday, which saw the Gunners run out comfortable 4-0 winners over a Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, that including a 25-minute cameo appearance from contract rebel Samir Nasri.
Nevertheless, the constant rumours over the future of their skipper continue to overshadow the Gunners squad.
In an interview published on Barcelona’s official website, midfielder Xavi claimed earlier he had been in contact with Fabregas, and said his Spain team-mate man had told him he has been “suffering” because of his desire to rejoin the Catalan club.
It is the latest in a long line of comments from the Barcelona camp clearly aimed at unsettling their former trainee.
Wenger has had enough.
“If I found Barcelona in exactly the same position, I believe a mutual respect between the clubs should stop this kind of comment,” the Gunners boss said.
“If it is true then it is very disrespectful and it is not the first time that Xavi has been disrespectful to Arsenal.”
Wenger added: “What is important is that Cesc Fabregas is contracted to Arsenal. That is a fact. Arsenal wants to keep him and all the rest is comment.”
Arsenal, though, showed few signs of being unsettled as they produced a confident display in very humid conditions.
Youngsters Ryo Miyaichi, back from a successful loan spell at Feyenoord, and right-back Carl Jenkinson, who signed from Charlton earlier this summer, were named in the starting XI.
Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey opened the scoring with a fifth minute penalty, before Theo Walcott lobbed in a second ahead of the break. Carlos Vela’s chip and a stoppage-time header from Tomas Rosicky sealed a comfortable win.
Like Fabregas, Nasri has also found himself the centre of intense rumours as the France international has yet to sign a new deal, with suggestions Manchester City and Manchester United could be ready to test Arsenal’s resolve with a £20m-plus offer as he would be a free agent in a year’s time.
Wenger, though, maintains the squad just have to get on with it.
“We are a big club with many good young players so we are confronted with many rumours and speculation, but it doesn’t affect much what’s happening inside the club,” he said.
“We have to live with that and you could see when he [Nasri] played that he wasn’t disturbed by that. He has always had a very good attitude.”
The Gunners will play the second match of their Asia tour in China, facing Super League side Hangzhou Greentown on Saturday.
