Cesc Fabregas swats aside new Barcelona rumours

Despite renewed speculation regarding a possible return to Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas has stated he is unwilling to become a pawn in the club's presidential campaign and has hinted he could spend the remainder of his career with Arsenal.

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Cesc Fabregas was appointed Arsenal captain last season

Fabregas left Barcelona's youth system to join Arsenal at the age of 16 in 2003. His hugely-impressive development under Arsene Wenger has been met with sporadic reports claiming that the Catalan club are keen to lure him back to the Nou Camp and Barca president Joan Laporta recently hinted that a summer transfer could be a possibility.

But Fabregas is ignoring the speculation surrounding him as he prepares to lead Arsenal in Tuesday's Champions League tie against Standard Liege at Emirates Stadium.

"It does not affect me at all,'' Fabregas said. "This [speculation] has been going for years. I don't mind really if it happens, it happens - but it will not change the way I think. I do not think about it because I do not want to and I do not think I should.

"I am at a great club, with a great team and am happy. We have a long season in front of us, and the last thing I want to do is get disconnected from what I have to do playing for Arsenal, who are the club which pays me. I am really looking forward to a great season with Arsenal.''

Asked whether he could envisage staying at Arsenal for the whole of his career, Fabregas said: "Why not? I have never really thought about it, staying here all my life, because I am only 22 and you never know what your career will bring - but why not? It is my seventh season now, I am really happy, better than ever, so you never know."

Arsenal host Standard on Tueday evening knowing that a solitary point will secure their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League and will have Kieran Gibbs back at their disposal. However, they approach the game in the wake of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

With leaders Chelsea visiting Emirates Stadium in the league at the weekend though, Fabregas is insistent that Arsenal embark on an important week in the right frame of mind.

"The Chelsea game is vital. We have to win, and we will be ready for it," Fabregas said. "Chelsea are a great team, one of the best in Europe, are very strong and have been playing together for a long time. They know each other very well, and you can see that on the pitch.

"I respect them a lot, but I know what we can do as well. If we play like we can at our best, then we can beat them. With the game in hand we have as well, we could still be there. But first of all, we think about the Liege game tomorrow (Tuesday), and then about Chelsea, but, yes, it is an important week for us."

Arsenal are eight points behind Chelsea following Saturday's results although, given the Gunners have a game in hand, Wenger believes the gap is not as pronouced as first observed.

"You have to take a little bit of distance with the immediate mathematic impression,'' said Wenger. "We have played two less games than Chelsea at home, one more away and we have a game in hand, so I believe that if you put that into perspective it is not as bad as it first looks.

"We have a good opportunity tomorrow to finish first in the group and qualify, then after we can think about Chelsea. The perfect way is to respond after a disappointing result, that is where you judge a big team and that is what we want to do tomorrow."