Cesc Fabregas has admitted he could still see himself returning to Arsenal one day, despite currently playing for Chelsea.

The former Gunners captain left for Barcelona more than seven years ago now. When Arsenal passed on the opportunity to buy him back, the 31-year-old decided to join their London rivals Chelsea instead, where he’s still playing today.

You’d think the bridges would all have been burned by now, but Fabregas insists he could still move back to the Emirates Stadium. Spanish outlet Marca recently asked him if he could see himself returning to Arsenal one day.

“Of course,” Fabregas responded. “Arsenal will always be in my heart and I will never forget them so why not return? You never know.”

The midfielder is struggling to get game time in the big games with Chelsea right now. He hasn’t played a single minute of Premier League football so far this season, making his only starts in the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield. Jorginho, Kante, Kovacic and Barkley are all ahead of him as it stands.

That’s not to say there would be any more room in Arsenal’s midfield. Aaron Ramsey might leave at the end of the season, but that still leaves Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi, Mesut Özil, Mohamed Elneny, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Emile Smith Rowe and Joe Willock.

I’m not sure how many Arsenal fans would welcome the return of Fabregas either. However, he is in the final year of his contract now, so the club could see him as a cheap addition to the squad on a free transfer next summer. As the player says himself, you never know.