Wenger CAN build a winning team around Cesc - but only if the next three months go to plan

By Steve Stammers in Mirror Football Blog

Published 23:00 06/02/10

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Arsenal’s grand plan to secure the ­long-term future of Cesc Fabregas is dependent on their success in the last three months of the season.

An ambitious scheme to ensure that the 22-year-old midfield star stays at the Emirates hinges on whether they can offer him the ­prospect of the top prizes in domestic and European ­football in the near future.

Arsenal set to offer Fabregas £30million new contract to ward off Barcelona and Real  

Arsenal are still involved in the race for the Premier League title, although their hopes suffered a major ­setback a week ago when they were dismantled by Manchester United.

They are also in the ­quarter-finals of the ­Champions League and have an excellent chance of reaching the last eight when they take on Porto.

But Fabregas is fiercely ambitious. At the very least, he wants the guarantee of a place in Europe’s premier club tournament next season ­before he will even consider committing himself to Arsenal for the next five years by ­taking advantage of the offer of a lucrative new contract.

His commitment to the club has never been questioned, despite the constant attempts by the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to bring him back to Spain. Both are willing to pay £40million-plus to lure him from ­Arsenal.

Fabregas, however, would prefer to stay – provided he can be assured that Arsenal will challenge for the major honours.

To date, his only medal is as an FA Cup winner from 2005 – the last significant trophy of any significance that Arsenal won.

Manager Arsene Wenger, however, will be able to ­reassure Fabregas that there are plans to strengthen the squad in the close season and that will enhance the chances of glory in the years to come.

Marouanne Chamakh looks certain to arrive on a free transfer in the summer from Bordeaux, Robin van Persie will be fit and there could well be a place for Lyon’s highly-rated French Under-21 international Maxime Gonalons.

A central defender is also on Wenger’s wish list and his ­prudent handling of Arsenal’s finances means that he will have the necessary cash to bring in new blood.

And he wants Fabregas to be at the hub of his new-look team who have faltered this season after promising so much.

Wenger lost strikers Van ­Persie and Nicklas Bendtner to injury this season and, ­without them for long periods, Arsenal have lacked muscle and presence up front.

Carlos Vela has yet to fulfil his potential while Fran ­Merida looks destined for Atletico Madrid at the end of the season and Croatian front man Eduardo has yet to regain peak form after his horrendous ankle injury.

If Fabregas senses that the future is promising, then it looks certain he will sign – and Wenger can start the ­rebuilding process knowing that his key man will remain the heartbeat of his team.