Wenger anticipates Fabregas' return to form
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has backed Cesc Fabregas, his team's captain, to return to form shortly.
Fabregas played his first game of the Premier League season against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
It was the Spanish midfielder's first competitive appearance for the club after intense speculation that he would join Spanish champions FC Barcelona during the summer.
The playmaker turned in a relatively quiet performance and did not make his presence felt in the way that Arsenal fans have come to expect over the past few seasons.
Soon off to new heights, says Wenger
On Monday, Wenger was quick to refute that Fabregas' forgettable performance had anything to do with the recent transfer speculation.
"He will be the player he was before without any problem and he will be stronger," said Wenger, speaking to Arsenal.com. "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."
Arsenal fans will hope that Fabregas' subdued form was down to match fitness and not a lack of dedication to the club. After all, his last competitive game was the World Cup final on 11 July.
Key to Wenger's new team
Then, Fabregas came on as a second-half substitute and assisted Andres Iniesta's winning goal in extra time.
Wenger now hopes that Fabregas' decision to remain with the club will allow him to forge his new team around the 23-year-old.
"It was vital for us to keep Cesc because we build a team around him," he said. "But I believe as well the players we have brought in have shown that they can adapt very quickly - Laurent Koscielny, Marouane Chamakh and now Sebastien Squillaci. So overall I believe we have done very well."
Arsenal play their next league game at home against Bolton on 11 September. On Friday, Fabregas faces Lichtenstein with the Spanish national team.
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