Fabregas - I would like to captain Arsenal. [ Wednesday, July 18, 2007]
Our 'One Year On' series continues with an exclusive interview with Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder had an outstanding campaign last term and was the runaway winner in our official Player of the Season poll.

He gave told Arsenal.com his opinions on Thierry Henry’s departure, Arsène Wenger’s future and his desire to be team captain in the years to come.

It has been a year since Arsenal played their first game at Emirates. Do you think the club have progressed since then?

Yes. It was a difficult season last time. It is a bit different to play at Highbury against playing at Emirates. It was a big move and very important for the club. But now we are all used to it. We are playing the same football we have for the four years I have been here. So we have no excuses.

How bright is the future for Arsenal in your opinion?

The future is looking good. We have very good young players and most of them are teenagers. We are all ready to fight for the League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Carling Cup, for everything. We must fight for everything that is in front of us. We must prove we are not just young but that we are winners.

We know we have a lot to learn but also we have a lot of experience. There is no doubt that there is quality and if we all give 100 per cent and injuries respect us, I am sure we will have a good season.

Do you really think you can challenge for the title next season?

Definitely. We are Arsenal. We are one of the most important teams in Europe. Definitely we have to be fighting for the title because it would not be Arsenal if we are not doing this.

You are still only 20 but how much responsibility do you want to shoulder in this side?

Everything I can. We are not talking about one or two players being important here. Collectively this side is very good. That is what we have to keep showing to ourselves, that we are good enough to fight for everything.

Do you want to be captain in the future?

Of course. Everybody wants this kind of responsibility and 100 per cent me as well. It something that I have liked ever since I have been young and it would be no problem for me to be captain of this club.

Can you cope with the loss of Thierry Henry?

Definitely. Thierry has been really, really important to this club over the past eight years. We have scored a lot of goals because of him but now he is gone and we have to move on. We wish him all the best at Barcelona.

But we have a great set of world class players. We should not have a problem if we are all going to same way 100 per cent. But of course we know that Thierry will be a big miss.

How confident are you Arsène Wenger will stay beyond the end of the season?

We all hope he is going to stay because I don’t think this club would have the same philosophy of playing football [without him]. And of course it would be a big miss for the club. He has brought most of us here and given us the opportunity. But we don’t have to worry about that. It is his future and he can decide for himself. But we all believe he is going to stay for a lot of years.