Vermaelen: Cesc can't forget Barca

Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen reckons Cesc Fabregas has Barcelona in his heart and will find it "impossible" to forget about the Catalans.

Fabregas has long been linked with a move to the club where he came through the ranks as a youngster and was expected to return to the Nou Camp in the summer.

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Arsene Wenger blocked the move from happening but it is widely expected Fabregas will return to Barcelona in the not-too-distant future and Vermaelen believes that is the 23-year-old's desire.

The Belgian defender said: "He was determined to go to Barca last summer, he more or less confessed it in the dressing room.

"Cesc carries Barcelona in the heart, in his DNA...therefore it is impossible for him to forget about them."

Fabregas claimed earlier in the week that Arsenal would not allow him to join La Liga champions, saying: "Barcelona did all they could to sign me but Arsenal told me I had to stay, that there was no way they were going to let me go.

"In the end I had to stay - but the content of my conversation with Arsene Wenger will remain private."

Fabregas started his first game of the season for Arsenal in their 2-1 win at Blackburn and is set to keep his place for the clash with Bolton this weekend.