Ex-Arsenal striker Alan Smith has stated that Arsene Wenger was right to turn down the chance to re-sign Cesc Fabregas from FC Barcelona, despite it seeing him join fierce-rivals, Chelsea, instead.
The midfielder capped off an impressive competitive debut for The Blues on Monday night by setting up two of their three goals during a 3-1 victory away at newly-promoted, Burnley, but Smith is adamant that his former-club were right to reject him.
Arsenal had the option to buy-back Fabregas after Barca revealed their plans to sell the 27-year-old, but Wenger refused the option as he stated he didn’t need another attacking-midfielder, and Smith agrees with the Frenchman.
The ex-Gunner admitted that an attacking midfielder isn’t what Arsenal needs, and in fact, they need to work on their defensive options instead.
“As a holding midfielder, I don’t think he [Arteta] has got the legs anymore and I don’t think he is naturally that kind of player,” Smith told talkSPORT.
“Fabregas isn’t that type of player either, so I can understand why Wenger turned down the chance to bring him back. He has got a lot of players in that position of that type.
“As for the holding midfield position, I thought Wenger might have gone out and got somebody. Whether he is waiting for Abou Diaby to finally come good, I don’t know, but it could be a problem over the season for Arsenal.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles