Cesc Fabregas: Premier League Legend Admits He Regrets Leaving Arsenal for Barcelona

• Cesc Fabregas has admitted that his timing to join Barcelona from Arsenal was wrong
• The Spaniard failed to win the Premier League during his stints at North London
• He joined Barcelona in 2011, winning only one La Liga title

Legendary Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has admitted he regrets leaving the Gunners to join Spanish giants FC Barcelona.

The 35-year-old spent eight years with the North London club, playing over 300 games and eventually being named the captain of the side.

Having joined the Premier League side in 2003, the central midfielder embodied Arsene Wenger's footballing philosophy.

However, Fabregas switched his spot as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League to return to his boyhood club Barcelona.

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After spending three years at Camp Nou, Fabregas made a sensational return to England to sign for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2014 after his former club Arsenal turned down a first option to buy him, BBC reported.

Wrong timing

The Spanish international notched 35 goals in 129 outings for La Blaugrana, but it failed to earn him a regular midfield role, with the trio of Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets viewed as the club's main central combination.

Speaking on Kammy and Ben’s Proper Football Podcast, noted by MD, the Spaniard has disclosed that he regrets the timing of his move to the Camp Nou outfit.

“Looking back, I probably should have waited a little longer, until Xavi shut down a bit, and then go there to take his place. However, the frustration of so many years without winning at Arsenal overwhelmed me, and I decided to leave," Fabregas said.

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He added that the constant success of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona convinced him to return to Spain.

“I decided to come back after seeing everyone winning in Barcelona, and playing so well. Pep (Guardiola) also kept calling me and sending me messages. I decided that was the next step for me.”

Fabregas lauds Arsenal

Cesc Fabregas could hardly hide his delight after Arsenal staged an epic comeback to down Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Gunners staged a thrilling comeback to secure a 3-2 victory, with Reiss Nelson, who came off the bench, playing a major role in the fightback.

Fabregas wasted no time in sharing his reaction to Arsenal's comeback victory over the Cherries.

When Fabregas met Messi

Fabregas and Messi met while attending training at Barcelona when they were just 13 years old, Sports Brief previously reported.

Discussing the star's meteoric rise, the ex-Arsenal man described what the Argentinian veteran was like at that age.

According to Fabregas, Messi was a shy youngster who didn’t talk much but was proved himself immense on the field.