The potential transfer of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona back to Arsenal during the summer had many Arsenal fans salivating.

The possibility of having Fabregas and Mesut Ozil in the same squad was incredibly exciting, and many of us would be lying if we claimed the idea of having the former Gunner back in the red and white shirt wouldn’t be rather lovely from a sentimental point of view.

However, Arsenal turned down the opportunity to resign him and the midfielder, who was eager to return to the Premier League, signed for our London rivals, Chelsea.

Fabregas returns to the Emirates for the first time since signing for Jose Mourinho’s team and the reception is unlikely to be a positive one. Some of this animosity is aimed at the manager for not signing the star when the Gunners were supposedly his first choice.

Speaking about his refusal to resign the Spaniard ahead of our tie against the Blues this weekend, Arsene Wenger said, “The only regret I have is that he wanted to leave here. I think this club and myself had a positive influence on Cesc’s life so I would be a bit uncomfortable to have to justify myself today [as to] why he’s not here.”

Rather sadly, the boss added, “I believe that I’d rather it be the other way around.”