Wenger confident of keeping Cesc

Arsene Wenger sees no reason why captain Cesc Fabregas should not be at Arsenal for "many years".

Fabregas, 23, was close to returning to his boyhood club Barcelona during the summer, only for Arsenal to stand firm as they rejected a £35million offer for the midfielder whom they have nurtured since he was 16.

Wenger, though, insists there is no reason to believe the World Cup winner, under contract until 2015, would not continue to be the mainstay of his side for the foreseeable future, and said: "I convinced him to stay at this club."

He added: "It is a natural case of a player who loves this club - and he loves Arsenal deeply, believe me. If he did not love it, he would have gone.

"You also have to remember that Barcelona has an attraction, because he grew up there, but I believe he wants to win with this club.

"For how long? You never know, but hopefully for many years.

"It is about our potential to win also, how well he can do.

"I am not pessimistic about him, and I am confident we will keep him for a few more years."