Wenger: We broke no laws

London: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger last night hit back at Barcelona's lengthy pursuit of Cesc Fabregas by insisting the Gunners have broken no rules by signing the midfielder as a teenager and are not keeping him at the Emirates against his wishes.

Wenger is tired of a series of comments over the past two years from the Nou Camp, where individuals connected to the Spanish champions have urged Fabregas to return to the city of his birth.

The Arsenal boss rejected the idea that Barca might still be bitter about the way he had lured Fabregas to London at the age of 16, accusing them of double standards if that was really their problem.

"There is no reason for any bitterness because we did nothing illegal," said Wenger. "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. It's part of the game. Where do they get their players? They take players from all over the world.

"Where does Lionel Messi come from? Barcelona? At what age did they take him? Twelve years old?

Dream team

"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."

Barcelona had two bids for Fabregas rejected last summer, although the Gunners captain is understood to have made it clear to Wenger that he was interested in a transfer back to the club he left back in September 2003.

He was nurtured in the La Masia academy, playing in youth teams with Messi — who was brought into the club from Argentina at 13 years old — and Gerard Pique, who left Barca a year after Fabregas.

He joined Manchester United before returning in 2008.

When Arsenal met Barcelona at the quarter-final stage last season, Fabregas played with an injury and scored a late equaliser to make it 2-2. He later discovered he had broken his leg winning the penalty and did not play another game for his club last season.

"He will approach this game as he approaches every game," said Wenger. "Cesc is an exceptional footballer but he is a winner as well."