Cesc Fabregas says he left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2011 for a number of reasons, including his relationship with some former team-mates, pressure on winning trophies and the club's lack of recruitment.
Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barca as a 15-year-old in 2003 and went on to make 303 appearances across all competitions before returning to the Nou Camp, where he then joined Chelsea, and now plays for Monaco in Ligue 1.
In a wide-ranging interview with Arseblog, the 32-year-old spoke openly about his decision to leave the Gunners nine years ago, citing a number of different reasons, admitting that he felt Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri were the only players "on his level" and that he had many "sleepless nights".
"I was the captain, I always felt so much pressure on myself," Fabregas said. "I had to lead this team to win something. I gave everything. Sometimes, I used to go home after we lost and I used to cry.
"I used to suffer, I used to spend sleepless nights suffering. And then you lose a game, you're in the bus like this, destroyed, and then you hear some players laughing, thinking about where they will be going out later.
"This was going on for a few years. We were playing beautiful football and I enjoyed that side of things but I was putting pressure on myself to lead, to do everything and at one point I felt kind of lonely.
"Especially in the last two or three years, I felt Robin and Samir were the only players - it's not an arrogant thing to say, it's how I felt at that time - were the players who were at my level mentally and technically.
"Many things came in my head, I have to admit I was a bit empty, I was drained mentally, physically, in my soul knowing I'm giving everything, knowing a few signings the club could have made but didn't happen.
"Seeing some behaviours from certain players or something like this made me feel I wanted to check something else. If it was not because of that, I would not have left Arsenal at that time."
Cueacdesz
519
Varmelen , Song, Gallas, Walcott, Rosický. Arshavin and many more ... all of this players were in the same team and were more passionate than you are!!! You will be arrogant to think u are better than them and u are putting so much effort than this guys!
Ph3stus
446
You cant blame him afterall, if you read the last paragraph you will understand how heartbreaking it can be when others are strengthening but your club wants to turn you to machines and robots even those also ware out at some point talkmore of humans. I dont fault him though he needed some fresh air and was too young to captain the heartache club
PrinceTaiwo
431
Thank you for all the wonderful years what actually pain me was why Wenger refuse to take him back
Wohbcimt
414
he is absolutely right when arsenal always bought average players the guy was star at the time I really feel sorry for Fabregas I saw him many games he was played with all his heart for arsenal but the board didn't support Wenger that way he left arsenal for good reason
teoaoprt
314
any arsenal player left arsenal never be like what does in arsenal most of them never play more like what they face done in arsenal
Muwangaconrqd
284
Every successful person has a painful story story in life. Leadership is a big deal. Thanks for the the team spirit
cubceituz
269
You made a great move and won all. I know you loved arsenal but, sometimes our passion serves as the cave that hinders our goal.
baucemprs
199
you were right when u left. because the Arsenal board didn't want spend money at all, even as we talking now.
Wuwdelnpsz
149
If this is true, then he was never a captain material. You can’t be a leader of you can’t get your teammates buy into your vision.