Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has named Arsene Wenger as the person who had the greatest influence on his career.
Fabregas moved to Arsenal as a teenager and spent eight years with the Gunners before returning to Camp Nou in 2011.
Arsenal are currently battling for the Premier League title and the club’s former captain said he is reluctant to talk about Arsenal while they’re doing well.
But he had no hesitation in praising the long-serving Wenger for the way he handled his early career.
“All I can say are amazing words for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger,” Fabregas said.
“The most important figure to me was Arsene Wenger. I have to be grateful all my life to him and that's it.
For me he is the most important person, he knows everything about me and that's the person that I owe nearly everything."
Fabregas also came to the defence of Mesut Ozil, the former Real Madrid midfielder who moved to Arsenal last summer.
The Germany international has come under fire for his recent performances, particularly as Arsenal lost 5-1 to Liverpool on Saturday.
But Fabregas argued that without Ozil, Arsenal wouldn’t be in the lofty position they currently hold.
“[Ozil] is a good player. He's a very good assisting player, so he is one of the reasons [Arsenal are doing well.]”
