Cesc Fabregas reaffirmed his commitment to Barcelona despite admitting struggling to make an impact with the club. The former Arsenal man has been linked with a move away from Catalonia because he has not developed into a regular starter since he returned to his boyhood club in 2011.

He told radio channel Cope how hard it has been to convince the media and some sections of the support of his worth.

"Perhaps during some games there has been a bad feeling in the Nou Camp towards me but you have to lift yourself up and get on with it because if you think about it too much, in a stadium as imposing as the Nou Camp, you will sink," he said.

"When I signed for Barcelona the Catalan press were very favourable towards me and I will always be grateful for the support they gave me. After that, they focused very closely on my performances.

"Fans think that every time you touch the ball you have to provide an assist. But I'm happy with my record."

He also denied that last season was any tougher than previous years he has had with Barcelona or Arsenal.

"Every season is difficult. Football wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is if it was easy," he said.

"I try and put a positive spin on everything and I don't think it's been too difficult. You always want to improve when you aren't playing as much and when you are on the pitch you always want to do well.

"Whenever I finish a season I sit down on the sofa on my first day off and always say 'that was tough'. I always come to the same conclusion."

"When I signed I said it would be the most difficult challenge of my life. It still is and it always will be. My biggest dream is to be an idol at the Camp Nou. I'm going to work as hard as I can to triumph in a big way in this team and in this club, he added."