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Fabregas: Captaincy has made me more committed
In the latest indication that his long-term future remains at Arsenal and not hometown club Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas says assuming the responsibility of the captaincy has made him more committed to the club.
Fabregas has a strong bond with Barcelona having emerged from the club's youth ranks before joining Arsenal at the age of 16 in 2003. The gifted midfielder has also idolised Barca manager Pep Guardiola from an early age and is frequently reported to be a target for the Catalan club.
Such rumours persist despite repeated denials from Fabregas that he is looking to leave Arsenal, and chief executive Ivan Gazidis has reportedly taken the step of contacting Barcelona directly to request that they stop speaking publicly about the Spain international.
While it is understood that Fabregas wants to return to Spain at some point in his career, the midfielder has firmly stated that he sees his immediate future at Emirates Stadium, especially given the senior role he has enjoyed since replacing William Gallas as captain in November 2008.
"I have been at Arsenal for many years but I don't see myself as the only leader," Fabregas told TVE. "We are together as a team and I rely on my team-mates to help me be successful. I am no more important than my team-mates.
"But I am very united to the club and to the supporters. My role as captain has increased my commitment to Arsenal and I am happy there."
A hamstring injury has prevented Fabregas from featuring in Arsenal's Champions League tie against Porto on Tuesday night but if the Gunners can overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg and reach the quarter-finals, their captain feels the club are capable of winning the trophy.
Born and bred in Catalonia, Fabregas is also hoping to reach the final and defeat Barcelona's great rivals Real Madrid in their own Bernabeu stadium on May 22.
"I want to play in the Champions League final in Madrid and against Real," Fabregas said. "That would be the maximum for me as an Arsenal player. If we analyse the 16 clubs left then I believe that ten still have a chance to reach the final and we are on that list."
