David Villa says that Barcelona
must keep transfer-target Cesc
Fabregas quiet as the Spanish
side travel to Arsenal in the
Champions League.
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Fabregas has been the centre of
transfer interest from Barcelona,
but stayed at the Emirates over
the summer and is expected to
be the subject of another bid
once the current season ends.
The midfielder has never hidden
his admiration for the club who
took him on as a youngster, and
now faces Barcelona in the
last-16, looking to do better than
last season when Lionel Messi's
four goals put paid to the
Gunners' chances of progression.
Now Villa claims that, if Barcelona
want to repeat their success
over Fabregas' side, they must
stop the Spanish playmaker.
"Cesc Fabregas is a worldwide
star," Villa said. "I am a lover of
his game and I sincerely have
belief in his presence at our club.
Cesc is a player able to succeed
at any club in the world. I
understand Arsenal's position but
it would be sensational if he is
with us for the next campaign.
"We need to stop Cesc. At this
moment he is thinking only about
Arsenal and is looking to defeat
us. He is a super professional."
Villa accepts that Fabregas is not
the only concern and thinks that
Barcelona can make life easier for
themselves if they can pick up a
vital away goal.
"Cesc is not the only key for the
Gunners. [Robin] Van Persie has
rediscovered his level in attack
and our defenders must be very
focused," said Villa. ''The key to
this match will be containing
Arsenal's attack and profiting
from our own chances to score
goals. We need to score to
increase our options for the
second match.
"This tie will not be easy. Today
Barcelona and Arsenal play the
best game in Europe because it
will be beautiful for the
spectator. My dream is to win the
Champions League. The media
makes us favourites but
footballers can only think from
match to match."