• Champions League

Arshavin wants Cesc to stay

ESPN staff
February 16, 2010
Cesc Fabregas has insisted he remains fully committed to Arsenal but talks of a return to Barcelona continue © Getty Images
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Andrei Arshavin admitted he would understand Cesc Fabregas' dilemma if his boyhood club Barcelona come calling in the summer, but hopes the Spanish midfielder will stay at Arsenal.

Fabregas has made no secret of his desire end his career with his boyhood club, but rumours have stepped up recently following reports that Barcelona claimed a deal had already been done, although the Spanish club have since denied this.

"If he goes to Barcelona, I will understand his choice," Arshavin told Russian newspaper Sport Express. "But as an Arsenal player, I really don't want this to happen.

"I remember when there were rumours of his departure last summer, he said half-jokingly, half seriously: 'I'll stay at least a year or two, I want to play with you. We joke about this topic again now. But Cesc is a grown man and only he can decide."

Arshavin will not travel to Porto for the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League clash on Wednesday, as he has a hamstring injury. but Fabregas will be crucial in midfield with key names missing. Also absent from Arsene Wenger's beleaguered squad is William Gallas, Eduardo, Alex Song and first team keeper Manuel Almunia, as well as long-term absentees Robin van Persie, Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou.

Carlos Vela returns to the squad after a knee injury and Gallas' absence means Sol Campbell could make his first Champions League start since Arsenal's defeat in the final to Barcelona in May 2006.

Bayern Munich v Fiorentina

Two sides of differing fortunes meet at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. Louis van Gaal's side are are enjoying a strong run of form, unbeaten in 13 Bundesliga matches. And while they scraped into the knock-out stages after picking up just four points at home, Fiorentina were the only unbeaten Italian side in the group stages.

However, the Viola have not won in five Serie A matches and injuries have seen their squad depleted, most recently the loss of defender Alessandro Gamberini faces a three-month lay-off with a shoulder injury.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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