Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has insisted that midfielder Cesc Fabregas will remain committed to the club next season and that he would continue to keep the Spanish international as his captain. The Frenchman also said that the Spanish team’s post-World Cup victory celebrations forcing a Barcelona shirt over Fabregas was a joke amongst friends and reiterated the Gunners’ stance that the club’s talisman was not for sale at any price.

Fabregas has been pursued by Barcelona all summer and had previously told Wenger that he wanted to leave the Gunners for his boyhood club. A reported £29 million bid from the La Liga champions had been rejected outright by the Premier League club but that has not stopped the Catalan giants from continuing their use of the media in attempts to force through a move.

In a press conference for the club’s annual Emirates Cup pre-season tournament, Wenger said that Arsenal “deserves respect” and that he would continue to hand the captain’s armband to his midfielder next season.

“I always said that Cesc Fabregas would be our captain next year, that we want to keep him and, despite all the speculation that has happened throughout the whole summer, nothing has changed,” Wenger said.

“I would say I believe Arsenal deserves respect and if the players make some statements and jokes we can do exactly the same.

“I believe we have to live with that and not complain too much.”

The Frenchman also dismissed the Barcelona shirt ruckus as “part of a celebration” and that Fabregas has always shown his commitment to the Gunners on the pitch.

“It’s part of a celebration. They are not always the most wanted, but you can understand things like that when you are friends.” Wenger added.

“It has nothing to do with his behaviour. He has always said he is committed to the club and he has always shown it.

“The best way to show you are committed to a club is when you walk on the pitch, that you give your best for the club. He has always done that.”

When quizzed over he believes that Fabregas would stay at Arsenal for another season and beyond, Wenger broke into a wry smile and said: “If you look at the length of his contract you will see he has five years to go. When you sign the contract for long period it means we are committed to the player no matter what happens, to pay him and keep him.”

Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas, English Premier League, La Liga, transfer news