Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared that former captain Cesc Fabregas is struggling to cope with a reduced role at Barcelona.
Fabregas recorded 29 La Liga starts in his second campaign for the Catalan giants, but experienced midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi were often preferred by Barca boss Tito Vilanova in a central position.
Despite scoring 13 goals in all competitions Fabregas has been consistently linked with a return to the Premier League in recent months, most notably with rumoured interest from Manchester United and the Gunners.
Wenger believes that Fabregas misses the trust and stability of playing every match and has suffered a dip in form as a result.
He told Al Jazeera: "I think at the moment he's lacking the confidence of being a regular player. Recently he has not been that.
"Cesc is such a passionate player, a player of such quality, that it must hurt him not to play in every single game.
"That's what he misses. When you come in and out you never play with full confidence."
The 26-year-old will reportedly sit down with Vilanova later this week to discuss his future, with the playmaker seeking assurances over his role at the Camp Nou.
Liam Power
