Wenger: Fabregas will return stronger

Manager Arsène Wenger says that he is confident captain Cesc Fabregas will return to the side stronger, after having had an eventful summer with his future under intense speculation.

The 23-year-old was also crucially involved in the winning goal against Holland in the World Cup final, allowing Spain to be crowned world champions.

The events of the close season seem to have taken its toll on Fabregas, with some observing his muted performance and response in Saturday's 2-1 win over Blackburn, of which he only played 68 minutes.

Wenger said: "He will be the player he was before without any problem and he will be stronger. And of course I think he will, once he is fit again, be involved mentally in the team.

"He is our leader, he is the leader of our team and he has a massive responsibility. I am convinced he will stand up for it.

"Cesc loves to play and that is why I did not tell him he could come off before the game. He did not know he would come off.

"He had not played since the World Cup Final. That was on July 11 and we are now the end of August. It is difficult and he should be ready for the next game."

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