Is it possible that Fabregas will stay at Arsenal?

In amongst all the media frenzy surrounding Wayne Rooney and his desire to get away from Manchester United, another story appeared far lower down the back page headlines about another, supposed ‘want away’ player in the Premier League.

Secret

It has been no secret over the past couple of years that Cesc Fabregas has wanted to leave Arsenal and get back to Barcelona. Just last Summer Arsenal turned down two bids from the Catalan club with Fabregas hardly hiding his disappointment that they did so.

Again, it is no secret that Barcelona are likely to make another bid for the midfielder at the end of this season and it is pretty well assumed by all that this time the move will go ahead.

Joined

Back in August Fabregas, who joined the Gunners from Barcelona back in 2003, said,

“I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me. This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing. There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.”

In relation to Arsenal’s decision to refuse Barcelona’s approaches Fabregas said,

“I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.”

Clear

That all seemed pretty clear. Arsenal wanted another season from the mercurial midfielder who has a contract until 2014 and Fabregas had reluctantly accepted that he would stay for that one season. The move in Summer 2011 seemed little more than a formality.

Yesterday, Arsene Wenger told Arsenal shareholders that he does not share that view.

“He is from Barcelona and has an attraction to where he grew up. At the end of the day, I believe he wants to win with this club. For how long I don’t know but hopefully for many, many years. I’m not pessimistic. I’m confident we will keep him for a few more years. He deeply loves this club, believe me. If he did not love the club, he would have gone.”

Reason

If Wenger has any reason whatever to believe that he might be able to keep Fabregas that is fantastic news for Arsenal fans. The good news kept on coming as he went on to say that there was cash available for them to make one or two signings in January. He didn’t say that one of them might be a goalkeeper but I think we can take that as read.

The final good news for Gooners everywhere was that Wenger reiterated that he himself is keen to stay in his role.

“I have to consider that this is a job that demands huge physical energy and as long as I have it I know I will have the desire. This is the club of my heart, the club of my life, and as long as I can contribute to help this club to be successful I will do it.”

Chance

As with every other football person being interviewed or making statements at the moment, Wenger was asked if there was any chance of Wayne Rooney putting on an Arsenal shirt. With the good news flowing, who knew what the answer would be. Wenger decided to side-step the issue by saying that the matter was ‘too sensitive’ to discuss.

That wasn’t a no then…