NAGGING WENGER IS NEVER HAPPY

HE is everyone's idea of the perfect midfielder, but there is one man Cesc Fabregas cannot satisfy.

There is a nagging voice in his ear after every game and each training session. And it has a distinctive and unmistakable French accent.

It is the driving force which propels Fabregas to ever higher levels of performance and achievement. It belongs to Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal manager made it his mission to nurture the career of the young Spaniard from the day he persuaded him to move to north London six years ago.

And Fabregas knows if he lets his standards slide, Wenger will be there to jolt him back onto the right path.

The Gunners skipper admits: "He speaks to each player after team meetings and tells us what he expects of us at every level.

"He's always told me I need to be better at defending. I know I've got a lot to learn and a lot to give to the team in that area.

"I know it's a point I should be stronger in if I have the ambition to be a complete midfielder. And I have to keep working on my passing, improving with every day.

"He'll never be 100 per cent happy. And if he sees that you've reached a certain level, he'll come and see you about it and show you a video to tell you where you can do better.

"He loves football. He spends his spare time observing matches to discover something new and introduce it into the team or show certain details to players so that they perfect their development."

Special

Fabregas knew from his first meeting with Wenger that he was being prepared for greatness. And the manager proved he could relate to the youngster on a personal as well as a football level.

Fabregas said: "The first time he came to speak to me was very special. He wanted to talk to me about his intention to make me captain of Arsenal one day.

"I will always remember that moment because we spent 10 minutes not just speaking about that but also about my personal life. I felt really privileged to find myself there at that moment.

"When I arrived, I was a kid of 16 training every day with people like Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Kanu, Vieira. They'd all been world, European, English champions.

"They were all about 28, were experienced, spoke with me and helped me.

"I've always considered myself lucky because, playing with those names, you can't describe it and I'll always carry that experience with me. It was a bit difficult for me at the time because there were youngsters emerging but opportunities were rare. Now the boss gives us a lot of opportunities."

Dream

As Arsenal plot the next phase of their search for elusive Champions League success, Farbregas makes the surprise admission that it is not his priority.

He said: "The Premier League is a competition I really want to win. It's very special and a dream I want to fulfil.

"To be champions of England would be one of the best moments in my life, for sure.

"It's difficult to say who'll win it right now. Of course there are teams like Manchester City and Tottenham, for whom things are going well. It will be difficult.

"Chelsea seem to be very strong. Manchester United too, as always. They don't have Ronaldo or Tevez but they're always a great team fighting for titles. It won't be easy at all."

TEACHER: Wenger directs his young maestro

A serious injury to Robin van Persie threatens to derail Arsenal's challenge. But their captain will help to ensure their key striker will not be forgotten as he nurses his way back to fitness. Even those in the Emirates sick bay are made to feel part of the collective quest for glory.

Fabregas said: "Tomas Rosicky, one of my best friends, was injured for nearly two years. And I was with him every day.

"That's how it is. And I think that's how team-mates should always be.

"It was very pleasant to see how they were with me when I was injured and now I like performing the opposite role.

"You have to be strong. It was very difficult for me at the beginning because you never want to let your team down.

"I had to go to Spain to have the treatment and you feel distanced not only from the team but also from the fans.

"That's football - you disappear and the team moves up the table. I felt a bit strange.

"But I was lucky as my team-mates were there for me and everything became easier."

Arsene Wenger is there too - watching, waiting, demanding and ready to pounce on any lapse.

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