Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Arsenal players lack winning mentality: Fabregas

October 16, 2010 15:00 IST

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has criticized his club players for lacking a "winning mentality."

Cesc FabregasFabregas has been out of action for almost a month after picking up a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

Since then, Arsenal has lost back-to-back Premier League games, going down 3-2 to West Brom at home before losing 2-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, The Sun reports.

Fabregas has now asked his players to raise their game.

"A winning mentality is missing. I'm very comfortable here, I like the club, lead the team and play football but we need to start winning titles because we have a wealth of quality," he said.

Fabregas came close to joining Barcelona in the summer only for Arsenal to turn down a 29 million pounds offer for their striker.

Fabregas reiterated his desire to one-day play in Barcelona's shirt.

He told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope: "I maintain that I was right because [to play for Barcelona] is a dream I've had since childhood. But the truth is that Arsene Wenger is like a second father to me. I told him what I thought.

"There were difficult moments. In the end, when I spoke to Wenger he told me no — he was very emphatic, that the transfer was impossible. I'm satisfied for all parties. It wasn't to be and that's that, though in my head I keep thinking it could have been a good opportunity."

Source: ANI