Fabregas joins Arsenal training

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas trained with his teammates on Thursday as speculation on his future continued.

Fabregas, 24, is the subject of much interest from Barcelona and the Spanish midfielder has stated his desire to join the Catalan giants at one stage in his career.

But the English Premier League star is also in high demand at Arsenal, and although all the speculation ruled him out of making an appearance in the Emirates Cup last weekend, Fabregas appeared at the club’s members day and trained with the other members of Arsene Wenger’s first-team squad.

The issue should be resolved in less than a fortnight, with Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League play-off sure to decide Fabregas’ future.

If he features in that match, he would be unable to feature for another side in the continental competition, potentially ruling him out of a move to Barcelona.

The midfielder’s appearance lifted the mood at the fans’ gathering with Arsenal attempting to break a trophy drought that stretches back to 2005.

“We know that but we are ready, well-prepared and determined to have a strong start,” Wenger said at the training session.

“We’ll give absolutely everything to do it. Let’s focus and believe that we can do it.”

“We had a good preparation and, I think, good team bonding. Overall, we are very happy and confident. We feel we were very, very close last year and we want to do it this year.”