• Premier League

Fabregas staying at Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas returned to Arsenal training on Thursday

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Guardiola understands Gunners' stubborn Cesc stance
  
• News: Fabregas set for crunch talks with Wenger
  

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has pledged his loyalty to the club after confirming he will stay at the Emirates this season.

Fabregas was heavily linked with a move to childhood club Barcelona, who had two bids in the region of £30 million rejected this summer. But after weeks of speculation, the Spain international confirmed he would be an Arsenal player this season and insisted he was 100 percent committed to the club.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, Fabregas apologised to Arsenal fans for months of speculation and insisted he was fully focused on the season ahead.

"Firstly I would like to apologise to all the Arsenal fans for not speaking sooner about my future but I have not known what I was going to do until this moment," Fabregas said.

"I am a professional and I fully understand that it is Arsenal's prerogative not to sell me. I owe a lot to the club, manager and the fans and I will respect their decision and will now concentrate on the new season ahead with Arsenal.

"I can assure all the fans that now the negotiations have ended I will be 100 per cent focused on playing for Arsenal. I am an Arsenal player and as soon as I step out on to the pitch, that is the only club I will be thinking about. I am looking forward to the start of the season and putting this speculation behind me."

However, Fabregas admitted joining Barcelona remains an attractive proposition.

"I cannot deny that joining a club like Barcelona was not an attractive move for me," he said. "This was the club where I learnt my football, it is my home town where my friends and family are and a club where I have always dreamed of playing. There are not many players in the world who would not want to play for Barcelona.

"I have had many conversations with Arsene Wenger both in person and over the phone over the last few months and although the content of those conversations will remain private, the conclusion is that Barcelona have had two formal offers rejected by Arsenal."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.