Wenger attacks Barca's double standards
Published 00:00 16/02/11 By John Cross
Arsene Wenger has accused Barcelona of double standards in their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas.
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta claimed it would be "justice" if Fabregas went back to the Nou Camp, because Arsenal had gone on a "fishing" expedition and nabbed him as a 16-year-old.
However, Gunners boss Wenger insisted Arsenal had not broken any rules - and then said Barcelona had done exactly the same after signing Lionel Messi from Argentina as a 13-year-old.
Wenger, who is set to include fit-again Samir Nasri in his starting line-up tonight, said: "It's part of the game. Where do they get their players? Where does Messi come from? Barcelona? At what age did they take him? Thirteen.
"There's no reason for any bitterness, because we did nothing illegal. Everything was legal. We did not force a gun somewhere. We respected the rules. They could come and take our players, we accept that as well.
"They take their players from all over the world. Don't expect them only to get players from Catalonia.
"And you must remember that every young player in Catalonia wants to play for Barcelona. Not every young player in London wants to play for Arsenal. Some want to play for Tottenham, some for West Ham, some for Chelsea and some for QPR.
"In Barcelona they don't have the same choice."
