Fabregas casts doubt over Wenger future
ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas has gone public with his frustration at the club’s failure to win a trophy since 2005 and admitted that time may be running out for manager Arsene Wenger.
Fabregas believes the team lack a winning mentality and that the trophy drought is unlikely to end until the Gunners hierarchy abandon their policy of fast-tracking talented youngsters.
“The coach is an intelligent person and the club value other things: that the team is always in the Champions League, that they fight until the end, bring through young players, economic stability,” said the midfielder.
“I guess that for the board that is important. Although I imagine there will be a moment when you have to take the plunge – either you win or you don’t win.”
Wenger denied Fabregas a return to childhood club Barcelona last summer and his latest comments, published in a magazine his native Spain on the eve of tonight’s decisive derby, are sure to revive speculation he wants to leave.
Arsenal were in contention for four trophies until six weeks ago, but lost the Carling Cup final, have since deteriorated and are likely to end the campaign without silverware for a sixth consecutive season.
“That final point is missing and it’s then when you have to make a decision: either go out and win or develop players,” he added.
“It’s difficult. For me it’s a lack of a winning mentality, also of maturity in key moments. We have plenty of quality but lack this bit of confidence.
“That’s why it was so important to win the Carling Cup. We needed it to believe in ourselves.”