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.