Arsene Wenger Insists Fabregas Misrepresented In Interview

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger stands by his claim that Cesc Fabregas was misrepresented and his words “twisted” in a recent Spanish magazine interview.

Fabregas had appeared to undermine Wenger and a Don Balon statement said the article was “completely faithful” to the player’s words.

But Wenger responded: “What they say is not interesting to us, they did not respect our agreement.

“They will never get an interview from us again, ever.”

Fabregas apparently suggested in the article that Wenger would have been sacked if he was managing a similar-sized club in Spain – given that the Gunners have not won a trophy since their FA Cup triumph in 2005.

“It’s clear that if you come to Spain and say to Valencia coach Unai Emery, Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola or Real Madrid’s Jose Mourinho that they’ll win nothing in the next three years, it’s obvious they wouldn’t continue in their jobs,” the 23-year-old Spain midfielder was quoted as saying.

Wenger’s initial reaction was to say the author “twisted completely the article and we are really upset about it.”

That prompted Don Balon’s publishers to post the audio of the interview on their website as well as release a statement that read: “We made a pact with the club that, if it were necessary, we would let them see the interview and make changes if they desired.

“When they asked for it, it was already in print but we sent it to them regardless. Revised or not, Don Balon would not have changed a single word of the article because it was completely faithful and respectful to the words of Cesc Fabregas.”

However, speaking on Friday ahead of Sunday’s trip to Bolton in the Premier League, Wenger was in no mood to back down.

The Frenchman responded: “I stand by my claim 100%. We had an agreement they had to send us copy for approval and it was not done.

“I maintain completely that they did not respect our agreement. The article in itself I do not want to discuss.”

The row comes as Arsenal head into their last five games of the season trailing leaders Manchester United by six points.

Arsenal let a two-goal lead slip in the 3-3 draw at Tottenham on Wednesday, allowing Chelsea to draw level with the Gunners on 64 points.

“Arsenal had a big game against Tottenham,” said Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech. “They were 3-1 up and threw it away. Now they are third for the first time in a long time so let’s see how they cope with this new situation.