Cesc Fabregas has revealed how Arsene Wenger convinced him to sign with Arsenal.

The midfielder was one of Barcelona's prized youngsters when he left the club for Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003.

He would go on to spend eight years with the Gunners before returning to Barca in 2011.

"I was 15 and I was the captain of that team and I was well valued," Fabregas said.

"On top of me there was (Andres) Iniesta and other players who had potential to make it. One day, a scout came from Arsenal to talk to my parents. And I always like to listen.

"Even now, five years ago, I always listen to what people have to say. Out of respect, too. We did that and the guy told me he had been to watch me 50 times and that I was made to play for Arsenal and the Premier League.

"When I went to London it was June and everyone was on holiday. Arsene Wenger was in Paris for holiday but he flew in a private jet to meet me. David Dean came to London Colney to meet me.

"This shocked me in a way, like "wow, Arsene Wenger", I am 15-years-old, I am nobody and this guy is breaking up his holiday to meet me. This for me was like "wow".

"And then we are talking, he spoke to my mother, asked what I was like when I was little. He showed me the training ground and I just fell in love, I fell in love with the whole project, the whole thing."