Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

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Cesc reveals Barca desperation

31 Mar 2010 - 08:58:36

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Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has admitted he is "desperate" to face Barcelona in the Champions League.

The Spain midfielder is battling to be fit for the first leg of the quarter-final tie against his boyhood club.

Fabregas has been given only a 40 per cent chance of playing by manager Arsene Wenger after finishing last weekend's 1-1 draw with Birmingham City nursing a badly bruised knee.

He will be given until the pre-match warm-up to prove his fitness and Fabregas has spoken of his determination to play.

"Ever since the draw was made I've dreamt about this game and I am desperate to play in it," he told The Sun.

"I've never disguised my affection for Barcelona, it's where I was brought up and where I learned so many beautiful things about football.

"But Arsenal have the same principles and this is our chance to show the world that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with Barcelona and emerge triumphant. You can't imagine how much I want to be part of that.

"Football is all about moments like this, all about challenges and this is a big challenge for Arsenal and for myself.

"Individually you want to prove yourself against the biggest players in the world and that's Barcelona.

"To be honest this is the most exciting time of my career and now I want to make it brilliant."