Friday, July 22, 2011
'No movement' on absent Fab
Arsene Wenger insists there has been 'no movement' on the Cesc Fabregas situation as the captain missed Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Germany. The Spaniard, who has been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona this summer, has not travelled to Germany after failing to recover from a muscular injury which also kept him out of the recent tour of Asia. A delegation from Barcelona, led by vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, is said to have been in London determined to push through a deal to bring midfielder Fabregas back to Camp Nou, although Arsenal remain steadfast in their £40million valuation. Wenger, who has previously spoken of his wish to keep his skipper at the club, denied anything has happened regarding the player. The Arsenal boss told the club's official website : "The position at the moment is a 'no comment' situation because there is no movement at all." Not recovered "The position at the moment is a 'no comment' situation because there is no movement at all." Arsene Wenger Quotes of the week In regards to Fabregas failing to make the trip to Germany, which will include Saturday's friendly against Cologne and a training camp, Wenger added: "(Fabregas) has not completely recovered from his muscular injury. "It is too early for him, he is not ready.
"Gervinho is with us. (Lukasz) Fabianski is back. (Emmanuel) Eboue is injured and is behind and (Nicklas) Bendtner is behind.
"(Abou) Diaby is out longer term so that is why I do not speak about him. We do not count Diaby for August. He will miss the start of the season for sure." Meanwhile, Wenger hopes to sort out Samir Nasri's future soon after the Frenchman was also linked with a move away from the Emirates. Stay He added: "[It is] not completely [sorted that Samir will stay] but I want him to stay. He knows that. Hopefully we can sort that out in the coming weeks."
Wenger has admitted Manuel Almunia and Bendtner could be leaving the Emirates this summer and says the pair have already been contacted by other clubs. "Alumina has been contacted by a few clubs, Bendtner as well," Wenger said. "As long as the situation is not settled, we have to focus on the coming season with the players we have. "The players who are uncertain, it is difficult for them to focus on being completely committed."