Cesc Fabregas admits he loved the success he achieved at Chelsea but will always maintain his allegiance to Arsenal. As both clubs prepare for another fierce London encounter this afternoon, Fabregas has been evasive about which side he’d be on for the fixture. The former midfielder represented both London clubs throughout his career, initially joining Arsenal as a teenager. The Spaniard remained in north London for eight years after leaving Barcelona’s youth set-up for the Gunners in 2003.

Despite his extended spell and elevation to club captain in 2008, Fabregas secured only the FA Cup and the Community Shield. By contrast, the midfielder moved to Chelsea from Barcelona in 2014 and remained for five years in blue, claiming considerably more silverware. This includes two Premier League titles, the League and FA Cup and the Europa League. During a conversation with The Telegraph in 2020, Fabregas stated he holds equal affection for both sides of the rivalry.

“My heart belongs to both clubs,” he said. “I know it sounds politically correct, but it really is what I feel. When I was with Arsenal I never believed I could feel what I felt towards Chelsea. It was impossible. But this is the beauty of football.”

Nevertheless, earlier remarks have revealed precisely where his loyalties rest in the Arsenal-Chelsea debate. Speaking on the Arseblog podcast, Fabregas declared he will stay a loyal Gunner.

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He said: “Every game I played for Arsenal was very special. The club meant everything to me. I remember the day I joined like it was yesterday. I didn’t have a chance to say ‘bye’ but thank you for everything you did for me. I have you all [the fans in my heart].”

Speaking at the time of his Arsenal departure when he headed to Barcelona, Fabregas added: “I was just a servant and spent eight years there when I gave absolutely everything. It didn’t show in the cabinet, I only won one FA Cup really, and this is the biggest regret I will have in my career, probably, not to be able to lift a trophy as Arsenal captain.

“I will always be an Arsenal fan because what they have done for me is unbelievable and I will never forget it.”

Fabregas has acknowledged that supporters would struggle to understand the loyalty conflict he faces between Arsenal and Chelsea. Whilst he remains devoted to Arsenal, the 38-year-old recognises the achievements he accomplished at Stamford Bridge and considers it the finest decision of his career.

Fabregas said: “Even if I want to say I’m the biggest Arsenal fan, which I will always be forever, I cannot say I am completely loyal from a fans’ perspective because I went to Chelsea. It was my opportunity as a football player, as a professional.

“But when I took that chance, I never thought I would be so happy there, that I would be so successful and that I would have so much appreciation and feeling with their fans. So now I support both clubs equally.

“When I was at Arsenal, I felt so completely in love with that club. From the start, when I was training and made my debut with the ‘Invincibles’. There was something inside of me that was impossible to ever go away because I probably had the best years of my life there.

“But being at Chelsea is something that I will never regret in my life; in fact completely the opposite. I will always talk about Chelsea and about my time at Chelsea as probably the best decision of my career.”

He continued: “Sometimes it’s difficult to change people’s opinion. I did what I did and I gave my all. If someone saw it, it’s great and if someone didn’t, then it’s a shame and I feel bad because first of all they believe I could have done better.

“But maybe it’s not even about football. Sometimes it’s more about breaking hearts because of joining the other top club of the city. And fans are fans, and I completely understand and I admire that from them because they are completely loyal to their club from day one to the last.”

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