Wenger - We were very positive for Cesc

Arsene Wenger believes that Cesc Fabregas will always appreciate the positive impact that Arsenal has had on his career.

The Spain international will line up against his former club on Sunday, when the Gunners face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Wenger expects the club’s ex-captain to receive a good reception from the Arsenal fans and will always have good memories of his time in north London.

“I think Fabregas will have a great career because he’s a great player,” the manager said. “When he looks back he will find that Arsenal and myself had a very positive impact on his career. Nobody can dispute that.

 I hope that, for every single person in the world, they have the feeling that we had a positive influence and that he had a great career. That is all you can do.

“I wish him well - he’s a great player, and a person and player I love. Once he left us, he left us. We are all professionals and we have to accept that.”

Wenger insists he was never in the running to re-sign Fabregas in the summer due to the number of attacking midfielders he has at his disposal.

“When he left we bought Ozil to buy an offensive player,” he said. “We have Cazorla, we have Wilshere, we have Ramsey, we have Oxlade-Chamberlain, who are all offensive players.

“We were not in the need to buy offensive players. It makes sense if you just look at the balance of the team. I think that's a decision that is easy to understand.

“I think everybody has the freedom to go where they want. We have to respect their decisions. As long as we are not in contention we cannot stop people going where they want.”