Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says he believes Arsene Wenger is “like a father” to him, saying that he will always have a big attachment to the Gunners.

Arsenal are gearing up to play Chelsea on Super Sunday, a fixture which the Spaniard could well play a big part in. A former fan favourite at the Emirates, Fabregas was brought through the ranks at Arsenal and signed for boyhood club Barcelona in 2011. He then shocked the world when he joined London rivals Chelsea, a move which is still a bitter pill for Arsenal fans to swallow.

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The 30-year-old admits he still feels “very attached” to his old club, sighting Wenger as a father figure.

In an exclusive interview speaking to Sky Sports News’ Super Sunday, Fabregas was asked if Arsenal were like an “old girlfriend” to him, he responded by saying: “I wouldn’t call it that. It’s much more than that, because sometimes an old girlfriend you lose connection with, you don’t feel anything for after years.”

“I feel very attached, even now, to Arsenal. My feelings for the club, well I don’t have to repeat myself, every single time we play against them, because it’s known. Whoever doesn’t believe me, or doesn’t feel it is this way, is not right. I know how I feel, my family does, and that’s all that matters to me.”

“Once I made the decision to leave Barcelona, Arsenal had the first option, and Barcelona had the obligation to contact Arsenal first. Then they had a week to basically respond yes or no to the buy-out clause.”

“I knew Chelsea were on the side, among other clubs, but after I spoke to [Jose] Mourinho in the meantime he convinced me that it was a great place to come. The week passed, Arsenal never responded, never contacted me either, so I took it as them having enough players in their squad, so I made my move to Chelsea.”

“Because I felt they wanted me the most, Jose spoke to me in a way that not many have spoken to me before, and I knew what he wanted from me. He motivated me so much in that meeting that my choice was very easy.”

“I love Arsene, the man. I love him of course as a coach too. This is a decision he made. I always said that he’s like a father to me, and he will always be.”