No-show heightens Fabregas speculation

ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas was not part of the 19-man squad which travelled to Portugal last night ahead of tonight’s pre-season friendly against Benfica.

The Spaniard has been the subject of speculation all summer linking him with a return to Barcelona, and has not featured for the Gunners in any of their pre-season matches to date.

“Cesc is just coming back from injury and he is not ready to play in the game,” Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said last night.

“I don't think Fabregas will be ready to start the season because he has been out for a long time and has had no games.”

The manager was pressed on the question of Fabregas given his appearance at open training during Members Day earlier this week and the continued speculation surrounding his future.

“I do not want to speak about the transfer of Fabregas because I have done that three years now in every press conference so I don't think there is any more need to add something,” said Wenger. “I love Fabregas and I want him to stay, that is basically it.

“Everybody is free to think what they want. We cannot stop people raising questions. He is just coming back from injury and is not ready to play in a game. But he is not injured.”

The Gunners boss, however, did hint that new players could be brought in before the opening match of the Premier League next Saturday. “We hope to give you some good news soon. Next week, something might happen,’’ Wenger said.

Fabregas was all smiles as he joined in with the rest of the Gunners squad for training at London Colney yesterday morning ahead of the flight to Portugal.

Barcelona want to bring their former trainee back to the Nou Camp, but will have to significantly up a £27 million offer for Arsenal to cash in on their captain.

However, should Fabregas feature against Udinese in the Champions League qualifier, the first leg set for Emirates Stadium on August 16, then he would be ineligible to play in the competition for the defending champions should a move go through ahead of the transfer deadline.

Wenger will miss the first leg against Udinese as he is servinga one-match ban, while midfielder Samir Nasri will miss the Udinese clash as he was also sanctioned by UEFA. Also out is striker Robin van Persie, whose suspension for a controversial sending off was carried over into Arsenal’s next Champions League tie.

Meanwhile Tottenham and Hearts will meet each other for the first time in a play-off to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League.

Scottish champions Rangers will look to get over their Champions League exit to Malmo by getting past Slovenian side Maribor.

Celtic have been pitted against Swiss side Sion, and Neil Lennon does not feel it is the easiest of ties.

“As with all Swiss teams, they will be very fit, very athletic and technically very good,” the Hoops boss said.

Stoke will head to Switzerland for a clash with FC Thun. Fulham face Dnipro of Ukraine while Carling Cup winners Birmingham, now in the npower Championship following relegation, take on Portuguese side Nacional.