Football Talk - Cruyff risks wrath of Wenger over Fabregas - 15/12/09
Johan Cruyff has risked facing the wrath of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger by picking Cesc Fabregas in his squad for a friendly game for Catalonia.
Catalonia face Argentina on 22nd December but as the side are not recognised by Fifa, Arsenal are under no obligation to release the midfielder.
While most of Europe's top flight sides enjoy a Christmas break, the Gunners face a hectic spell of seven fixtures in the space of four weeks.
"In England we play football through the Christmas period," said Wenger. "In all other countries they stop and they play friendlies and charity games. There is a demand for Cesc but there is a demand for five or six other players. We don't allow the players to play in friendlies because we have too many games. In life you always have to do well for the guy who pays you and the rest is less important. If they want to play charity games, the best way to be charitable is to sign a shirt, because basically I consider [playing in friendly games] is on the cost of the club."
The squad also includes six players from Barcelona, including Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Gerard Pique, Sergi Busquets and Bojan Krkic.
