Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas insists he never snubbed Arsenal when deciding to leave Barcelona two years ago.
Fabregas says he decided to join Chelsea after Arsenal failed to contact him when he became available for transfer at Barcelona.
“I feel very attached, even now, to Arsenal,” he told Sky Sports. “My feelings for the club, well I don’t have to repeat myself, every single time we play against them, because it’s known. Whoever doesn’t believe me, or doesn’t feel it is this way, is not right. I know how I feel, my family does, and that’s all that matters to me.
“Once I made the decision to leave Barcelona, Arsenal had the first option, and Barcelona had the obligation to contact Arsenal first. Then they had a week to basically respond yes or no to the buy-out clause.
“I knew Chelsea were on the side, among other clubs, but after I spoke to [Jose] Mourinho in the meantime he convinced me that it was a great place to come. The week passed, Arsenal never responded, never contacted me either, so I took it as them having enough players in their squad, so I made my move to Chelsea.”
