Arsene Wenger has called on Barcelona to show some respect in their public pursuit of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, but accepts there is little else his team can do but ride out all the constant speculation.
Fabregas, who is nursing a hamstring injury, was a noticeable absentee from the first game of Arsenal's Asia tour yesterday, which saw the Gunners run out comfortable 4-0 winners over a Malaysia XI at the Bukit Jalil Stadium, that including a 25-minute cameo appearance from contract rebel Samir Nasri.
Nevertheless, the constant rumours over the future of their skipper continue to overshadow the Gunners squad.
In an interview published on Barcelona's official website, midfielder Xavi claimed earlier he had been in contact with Fabregas, and said his Spain team-mate man had told him he has been "suffering" because of his desire to rejoin the Catalan club.
It is the latest in a long line of comments from the Barcelona camp clearly aimed at unsettling their former trainee. Wenger has had enough.
"If I found Barcelona in exactly the same position, I believe a mutual respect between the clubs should stop this kind of comment," the Gunners boss said.
"If it is true then it is very disrespectful and it is not the first time that Xavi has been disrespectful to Arsenal."
Wenger added: "What is important is that Cesc Fabregas is contracted to Arsenal. That is a fact. Arsenal wants to keep him and all the rest is comment."
