Barca’s Iniesta expectingFabregas to stay at Arsenal

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta says he expects Cesc Fabregas to remain at Arsenal for at least another year.

The Arsenal captain has continued to be linked with a move to the Spanish champions despite the London club rejecting Barcelona’s £29million bid for the 23-year-old and ruling out the possibility of a transfer.

And Iniesta now believesFabregas will stay on at Emirates Stadium, where he still has five years remaining on his contract, even if only for one more season.

“Cesc wants to be with us (at Barcelona), but he told me how close the Arsenal fans are to his heart,” Iniesta told the News of the World.

“He is a special player and I hope he wins the title at Arsenal this season. For them to win Cesc will have to stay fit and injury-free but he deserves to finish with a title.

“For all the work and effort he has put in at Arsenal it would be a shame if it was all fruitless.

“I have seen time after time Lionel Messi win games for Barcelona when the rest of the team have not been on form and Cesc can do that for Arsenal this season.

“Cesc is such a special player that he could carry a team to the title on his own and I hope he does it this coming season. It would be brilliant if Arsenal’s hero could lift the title as captain during his last season. I think that it would be fantastic for everybody.”