Wenger believed Xavi had been "very disrespectful" for suggesting his Spanish team-mate was suffering as he waits to find out whether the two clubs can agree a deal for him to return to Barca. Xavi now wants to draw a line under the matter rather than risk a war of words with the Gunners boss. He told As: "We know Cesc wants to come and I said he was suffering. I was selfishly looking at the interests of Cesc. I didn't want to offend Arsenal or Arsene Wenger. "I think the controversy is absurd and I don't want to get involved in a war of words with Arsene Wenger." Fabregas came through Barca's youth academy at the same time as World Player of the Year Lionel Messi before joining Arsenal in September 2003 at the age of 16. Wenger has said he wants to keep his captain and is trying to convince Fabregas that it is not the right time for him to leave England. But while Arsenal refused to negotiate with Barcelona when they came calling for Fabregas last summer, the Gunners have opened talks this time around, although the Catalan giants have so far fallen short of the English outfit's asking price. Xavi added: "I don't really know the situation but it seems they are more disposed to sell this year than last year. "Maybe we can be a bit more optimistic [this year] but it depends on reaching an agreement with Arsenal."
