Arsenal manager Wenger admits losing Fabregas is "sad"

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted Monday that losing Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona was "sad," but stressed that life would go on without the Spain midfielder.

Fabregas had completed his long predicted move back to his former club Barcelona earlier in the day, leaving Wenger to face the new season without his captain and best midfielder.

But Wenger remained upbeat and said there was nothing he could have done to stop Fabregas from returning home.

"Yes, we lost a world-class player and we are sad about it," he said. "We did fight to keep him, but in the end we have as well to respect the desire of the player.

"This club is 125 years old this season and many big players have left the club and the club went on. We want to show that we have the strengths and unity to fight as we ever did at this club."

Fabregas joined Arsenal as a 16-year-old in 2003 and Wenger said he could not stand in his way any longer.

"To get the best out of a player, he needs to be completely committed to where he is. Cesc wanted to go back to his home city.

"If you understand one thing, it is Cesc did not go for financial reasons, or that he did not love this club - Cesc went because he was desperate to play for his home town club, where he was educated.

"It is very difficult to resist that."

Wenger and Arsenal have been linked with a number of big names this summer, but the Frenchman said he needed to be sure of their talent and ability before parting with money.

"What I want to say is that we are not frightened to spend money, but we have to be convinced the player is better than what we have," he said.

"That is our main concern, to bring quality. We have quality, but want to add more quality."