Gooner Talk

Arsenal midfield maestro and Euro2008 Champ Cesc Fabregas believes he will have to raise his game after the performances of Arsenal’s young guns on Tuesday night.

Arsene Wenger used a squad with an average age of just 19 for the Carling Cup clash with Sheffield United at the Emirates, but still saw his talented men put in a masterclass display as they dismantled the Blades 6-0.

Fabregas – himself the yougest-ever player to appear in the Gunners’ first team – admits the performance left him on the edge of his seat, and believes it won’t be long before the pretenders to his crown will be knocking on the door.

“I was really excited on Tuesday – it was sensational. You can see all the players have ambition, they want to show how good they are,” the 21-year-old told The Sun.

“I cannot go to sleep as one day or other they will want to play more and more and the manager will want them to play more.

“I will have to be better and better. Wilshere, Ramsey, Merida — they all play in my position. This is great for me. I love competition.”

And Fabregas, who joined the north Londoners as a 16-year-old from Barcelona in September 2003, believes nobody is better for giving youngsters a chance than Gunners boss Wenger.

“He doesn’t care how old they are and it’s amazing. It’s why we have so many good young players. It’s the club’s policy,” said the Spaniard, who is expected to return for the club’s Premier League clash with Hull City tomorrow.

“Even if you’re 14 or 15 he always looks relaxed to you and instils confidence in you. For what he does with young players, no one compares with Wenger.”

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Arsène Wenger has dismissed rumours linking former striker and skipper Thierry Henry to Manchester United by revealing the only club he’d join in England is Arsenal.

While Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, the £30m asking price has so far put off would-be suitors and, according to the Mail on Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson has turned his attentions towards ex Emirates legend Henry.

Wenger though, believes differently, he told Arsenal.com that if 31-year-old Henry was to come back to England, then the only club he comes back to Arsenal.

“I don’t believe in that,” said Wenger. “I don’t believe Thierry Henry will come back to England. That is my gut feeling. But I think if he comes back to England then he comes back to Arsenal.”

Henry has struggled to settle at Barca, being deployed mainly on the wing to accommodate Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi.

However, he still finished top scorer with 19 goals, and Ferguson reportedly believes he has lost none of his attacking threat.