Arsenal - Cesc Fabregas will not leave until five-year trophy drought is over

When the transfer window opens, it’s no major surprise to see the name of Cesc Fabregas inexorably linked with a move to his childhood club Barcelona.

Hardly a day goes by during the summer recess and the January window, when stories reign supreme that the Arsenal skipper is reported to be heading home.

It’s something we have come to expect; and yet it’s never happened. Neither is it likely to this time around, given the Gunners’ talisman’s latest response to the inevitable comments.

Fabregas, to his eternal credit, continues to handle the speculation with good grace, humility and with ultimate respect to his Arsenal paymasters.

Fabregas insists he has no intention of leaving the Emirates until he has brought silverware to the club which has made him the player he is.

"Why would I want to leave? It is fantastic here," said Fabregas, who has endured a five-year wait for silverware with the Gunners. "It would be a dream to lift trophies for Arsenal. It has always been my wish.

"Afterwards you can always be attracted by something else, like a new objective, or new challenges because, for me, life is all about challenges.

"But my real challenge as captain of Arsenal is to bring this football club success. This is the biggest dream I can have. I want to end these five years without a trophy and, hopefully, I can do it this season."