Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says Arsene Wenger REFUSED to re-sign from Barcelona.

Despite playing regularly, Fabregas never managed to have the same impact at the Nou Camp and the Catalan club looked to sell him just three years later.

The midfielder wanted to return to the Premier League and contacted Arsenal about taking him back.

Arsenal had first refusal but Wenger snubbed the midfielder's request and he ultimately joined London rivals Chelsea.

Speaking on Kammy and Ben's Proper Football Podcast, the 35-year-old said: "I really wanted to go back to the Premier League.

"In the contract when I signed for Barcelona we said that, after I leave, Arsenal will have the first option. They had a week to respond. So obviously we approached Arsenal, we said 'listen I'm leaving Barcelona and by law, you have a week to decide if you want to take me back or not.'

"For a week I couldn't talk to anyone (else). We noticed (sic) Arsenal, Arsene, everyone, so after a week we called Arsene and he said he'd thought about it and he said they already had a lot of players in my position like Mesut Ozil... Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and he said to fit me in he would have to play someone out and this could create, you know... I think also he was a little bit hurt... by how I left and everything.

"I don't hold anything bad because it's their right, their decision and they could do what they wanted.

"I had a few options and one of them was Chelsea. I spoke to Mourinho, I met him. He told me things that were very nice to hear. He wanted me to be the leader of that team. It just felt right."