Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas was once again linked with a move to Spain this morning, with the midfielder, still reeling from his country's 2-0 Confederations Cup defeat to the United States in South Africa last night, hinting that his Catalan family would understand if he was to join Real Madrid.

However, he has now moved to refute the suggestions he'd like to leave north London, asserting that, once again, his words have been misinterpreted when translated into English.

"I’m not sure how many times I need to talk directly about my commitment to Arsenal as I continue to say the same thing over and over again," he told the Gunners' official website.

"But it appears that every time I have spoken to the Spanish media recently, my words have bounced back to England, leaving question marks about my future.

"So, for anyone who is unclear or may have misunderstood what my position is, let me make myself absolutely crystal clear. I am wholeheartedly committed to Arsenal and my future lies with this great club."

The midfielder had described Arsenal as "impotent", and had expressed frustration that the Londoners had not managed to win a trophy since 2005. That frustration though springs from a deep well of hurt at the fact that no silverware has arrived at the Emirates for what is perceived as such a long time.

"It is a fact that we have not won a trophy for four years and yes, I am angry about that, but that anger stems from the deep deep desire I have to win things with Arsenal," he added.

"I care about this club and believe in this team. I am proud to captain this team and proud to wear the shirt. It really upsets me when people express my thoughts otherwise.

"The spirit in this squad is fantastic and we have the ability and mentality to compete on all fronts for silverware. Make no mistake, we are focussed and determined to show that we are capable of achieving great things together."

Nigel Winterburn, the former Arsenal left-back who was such a stalwart at the club during his playing days, claims that although Cesc Fabregas has once again affirmed that he will not be leaving the Emirates Stadium, the time has come for the Gunners to claim some trophies in order to keep the skipper, and his team-mates, happy.

Fabregas was yet again linked with a return to Spain today, after the English media took some quotes of his from the Spanish press claiming that the player's Barcelona-supporting family would understand if he decided to move to Real Madrid.

He refuted the idea that he was planning a switch to La Liga, but Winterburn feels that there is an anxiety at the north London outfit about winning some silverware soon.

"He [Fabregas] is voicing concern, maybe frustration," Winterburn told Sky Sports News. "But he's also saying 'I'm not going to force my way out of the football club if I am very, very unhappy about my position, then I will speak to the manager and maybe a decision will be made'.

"Arsenal have had a few barren seasons in terms of not winning trophies, but they've been so close on a number of occasions. But for the supporters and the players, being close isn't good enough.

"You've got to win something. And Arsenal just need to win something just to keep the players happy."

There are escalating sneers from supporters of Arsenal's opposing teams that claim Arsene Wenger cannot be trusted when it comes to acquiring defensive recruits, and the signature of little known Ajax stopper Thomas Vermaelen has done little to quell such notions.

The name Igors Stepanovs will forever be embedded into the memory of Gunners fans as his woeful showing during a 6-1 loss against Manchester United was testament to his label as one of the worst signings during the French boss' occupancy in N5.

From the successful north London outfit, Stepanovs transferred for free to Grasshopper Zurich. After failing to hold down a regular starting place, though, he left for Latvian side FK Jurmala, but was again in need of re-establishing his career so joined FC Esbjerg in Denmark. After a stint with Russian outfit Shinnik Yaroslav, where he hardly received a game, Stepanovs found himself without a club at the age of 32.

Not all of Wenger's centre-backs have led such underwhelming careers. Perhaps his greatest coup due to it's sheer audacity was the free transfer of Sol Campbell from bitter neighbourhood rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

As a commanding centre-back he is perhaps what Arsenal crave now. The 34-year-old helped his side to a brace of Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his stay at the Gunners' former Highbury home. Since he left, he has enjoyed more success than he would have claimed had he stayed, claiming a further FA Cup with current club Portsmouth.

How then, will Vermaelen fare?

When considering a candidate worthy of transfer, Wenger does not just include talent, but also their personality, and what they like to do during their time off. Theo Walcott, for instance, is highly unlikely to be seen storming out of Ilford's infamous nightclub punch-drunk as he likes quiet nights in with a Scrabble box. Such likeable professional traits may have been what attracted the Alsacian to Vermaelen, as Tommy Vaneldik of Goal.com's Netherlands site claims that the defender has a modest mindset.

Furthermore, his ability to cover Gael Clichy, as well as filling in at centre-back, could have proved tempting, but Vaneldik also warned, "He is not the man that will send guys like William Gallas and Kolo Toure to the bench."

Defenders of Vermaelen's purchase point to his capacity to lead; he was Ajax's captain after all. Such a fact, though, is misleading, as he was far from first choice. In fact, he was the fourth in line - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar wore the armband prior to his Real Madrid switch, before handing it to goal guardian Maarten Stekelenburg.

Arsenal's rearguard conceded too many times last season for a side who want to stake a claim to contend with Manchester United for next season's Premier League crown, so various departments in their defence needed to be addressed. It is perhaps telling that the club's strongest player in the air from their first-choice rearguard is arguably right-back Bacary Sagna, so any recruit looking to break into Wenger's starting XI will need to possess aerial strength.

The club's high line policy was often singled out for criticism as the defence was deemed to come unstuck when up against pacey forwards who beat the last man as high up as the half-way mark - such fruit was found by Robbie Keane during his playing days at Liverpool. However, Arsenal seldomly conceded directly from this tactic, as their pacey centre-backs were often able to track back. A Wenger defender would therefore require pace and acceleration.


The Premier League is, of course, a physical league. All the recent title champions have bragged footballers who look, and often do, handle themselves well on the pitch. Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, for instance, could have been sturdy amateur boxers. Nemanja Vidic's strength should be undoubted. Even Cristiano Ronaldo, who arrived in England looking lean, will leave having bulked up considerably. Chelsea, meanwhile, have had a solid backbone of John Terry, Michael Essien, and Didier Drogba, while Frank Lampard - despite being mocked unfairly - has proven to be one of the fittest players to have competed in England's top flight. If Arsenal are to challenge, then physical players perhaps need to be targeted.

How then, does Vermaelen shape up when considering the three aforementioned characteristics: aerial ability; pace; and physicality?

Vaneldik warned, "Vermaelen's acceleration and pace don't stand out, so quick strikers are able to beat him. For the Eredivisie he was quite a strong player physically, but one has to keep in mind that there's a giant gap between the Dutch and English League, also when it comes to physical abilities.

"He is quite strong in the air and is also a good man-marker."

Arsenal require a player who can slot into first-team duty with the ease that Andrey Arshavin displayed during the genesis of his red and white career.

Ajax won a title in 2004 yet Vermaelen only played one game. The following season he missed out on Champions League football because he was farmed out on loan to RKC Waalwijk after the winter break. He has international caps with Belgium, but De Rode Duivels have no tournament experience since the 2002 World Cup, bar the Olympics in 2008, of course.

Like a number of Wenger signings, Vermaelen is perhaps a gamble, but with reports that he has little money to spend this summer then it is a gamble that the club's domestic and European competitiveness could end up hinging on.

Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Andrey Arshavin has had enough of football agents and intends to represent himself.

The Arsenal star, who recently spoke of 'unpleasent surprises' in his contract at the Emirates, has ditched his representative Dennis Lachter.

The 28-year-old intends to iron out problems with his deal and is also concerned by the rising tax rate in the UK, which will jump from 40 per cent to 50 per cent for high-earners next April.
Andrey Arshavin celebrates scoring against Blackburn

Taste of success: Arshavin celebrates scoring against Blackburn during a superb start to his Arsenal career
Agent Dennis Lachter after securing Andrey Arshavin's transfer

Happy day: Agent Dennis Lachter after securing Arshavin's transfer to Arsenal

But Arshavin insists it is 'operational problems' rather than a dissatisfaction with his deal that has caused him to break off relations with Lachter.

The agent has only been representing the Russia forward for about a year after taking over from Pavel Andreev and Lachter often exasperated Zenit St Petersburg with his comments during negotiations to sell Arshavin, first to Tottenham last summer, then Arsenal in the winter.

Arshavin admitted to problems settling into life in London after his £15million switch from Russia in February and it took several weeks to find a suitable home, plus get his wife Yulia and two children to join him.

Lachter had been primarily trying to look after the player from his home in Israel, which led Arshavin to believe it was easier to manage his own affairs.

'Recently I sent a formal letter to Dennis Lachter, which said that I do not want him to continue to represent me and that I will act on my own behalf,' said Arshavin.

'This is no way associated with my Arsenal contract. On the contrary, I want to express my deep gratitude for Lachter's help in moving to the English club.

'But now I am having operational problems and Dennis, who has a newborn son, lives in Israel and cannot always be close to me, so it is easier to solve all these problems myself.'