Arsene Wenger warns Cesc Fabregas off joining Barcelona
Fabregas has regularly been linked with a move back to Barcelona
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says captain Cesc Fabregas would be taking a backwards step if he joined Barcelona.
The 22-year-old midfielder left Barca for Arsenal in 2003 and has been heavily linked with a return to Spain.
"I can't see anybody with a competitive edge wanting to go to Spain," said Wenger. "They have two good teams and the number three is 27 points behind.
"Next weekend the players threatened to strike because they are not paid. It is a league in complete disarray."
Speaking at his press conference ahead of Arsenal's trip to Wigan on Sunday, Wenger railed at the assembled media for their persistent questioning on the future of Fabregas.
"In every press conference I get asked from you, 'Will Fabregas stay or not?'" said the Frenchman. "Frankly, I believe it's not serious. The players are under contract.
"If the players are free, I'll tell you, but when the players are under contract why should we always answer the same questions. Every week it exactly the same with Fabregas. Every year, every week. Why? I don't know why."
Wenger again insisted the Spaniard would not be sold and rebuffed suggestions that a secret meeting had taken place between the clubs when they contested the Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Emirates in March.
On Wednesday, Gunners chairman Peter Hill-Wood claimed there had been "a private conversation in the boardroom" between officials from Arsenal and Barcelona, with assurances "at the highest level" that the Catalan giants would not attempt to re-sign Fabregas.
"We have not been in contact with Barcelona. There is an official dinner before every Champions League game but there have been no secret meetings," said Wenger.
"I don't want to sell any of our players. We want to keep this team together. The players who are here are under contract and those who are demanded the other clubs have to call us. I can't understand the persistent campaign to get English players to Spain."
Fabregas has enjoyed another impressive season for Arsenal but will miss the rest of the season after breaking his right leg during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona.
He is one of four players on the shortlist for Professional Footballers' Association's player of the year award, up against Wayne Rooney, Didier Drogba and Carlos Tevez.
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