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Fabregas says Arsenal must focus on fourth, not the title
James Olley26.02.09
Cesc Fabregas has told his Arsenal team-mates to forget about winning the Premier League title.
Both manager Arsene Wenger and defender Bacary Sagna refused to concede the race earlier this week despite falling 17 points behind leaders Manchester United.
But the Gunners captain claims they must now focus on the battle for fourth place.
Fabregas, who is hoping to return from a knee injury next month, said: "It's not realistic to look at the league title now. You can never say never but we would not be intelligent to be looking right to the top of the league.
"To be intelligent now is to go game by game and think about who is directly in front of us."
Arsenal host Fulham on Saturday and Fabregas believes they cannot afford to lose more ground in a bid to secure Champions League football, with fourth-placed Aston Villa six points ahead.
He said: "Now we have to make sure we put a run of wins together and don't lose more points. Aston Villa will drop points, of that I am sure, and that's why we need to be ready to capitalise at the right time."
Reader views (5)
I don't think you'll get to fourth this year as Aston Villa are now out of the UEFA cup.
I also think that Man U will beat you if you get to the final of the FA cup.
As for the CL, well, you're not going to win that this year either....
Must be getting boring dusting that empty cabinet at the Library...............
- Mark, St Albans
Well, Fab has not said anything different from what Mr Wenger said. Mr Wenger said that the title race is not over- perhaps for the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea. It is logical because, if he tells us that finishing 4th this season is our objective because of where we are in the table, I am sure many will jump on the band-wangon to say he has lowered his expectations- aim for the title and finish 4th are synonymous, because t win the title you have to aim to finish up there -it depends on how you want to look at it. We can still finish 4th. Come on les Gunners!
- Julius Nuga, Abbots Langley UK
4th is vital, FA Cup and Champions league must be the targets! If we can get the likes of Waclott, Adyebaor & Eduardo all back for the 2nd leg against Roma and then beat Burnley and Hull/Sheff Utd to progress in the FA cup we have a great chance! Cesc should be back by April and then we have some team to choose from!
- Newmy, Ipswich
Fabregas has got to be the only realistic gooner about.
What a breath of fresh air!it looks to me that his given back his arsenal blinkers and is ready to walk.
- Jamie, essex
In one short sentence, Fabregas says it all. Securing at least that fourth spot is the be all and end all of the Arsenal season. What if they don't? Is it implicit in what he says that he would leave if they do not? Maybe, maybe not but with that kind of focus, one wonders what woiuld happen at Arsenal if they do not qulaify and again fail to win a trophy.
- Steven Dale, London, England
