Fabregas says comments were 'twisted' and hails Wenger's impact on club

Cesc Fabregas has used his Twitter account to deny any ill-feeling towards manager Arsène Wenger, saying that his words from the interview with Spanish magazine Don Balon, which appeared in yesterday's papers, were "twisted to make headlines".

In the interview, the Arsenal captain seemed to be criticising Wenger, stating that if he was managing in La Liga, he would have been sacked by now because of the club's trophyless run, which will stand at six years at the end of the season should the club fail to win the Premier League.

"If you went to Spain and said to Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho or Unai Emery that they would have three years without winning a trophy, it would be obvious they would not continue," Fabregas was quoted as saying.

Fabregas also appeared to give a damning verdict on Wenger's policy of developing young players instead of making big-name signings, and how that has cost them winning trophies. "A decision has to be made: to go out and win or develop players."

The 23-year-old, who was part of the 2005 FA Cup-winning side, the last Arsenal team to win a trophy, also spoke of the added responsibility because he and striker Robin van Persie – failing to mention 2004 Premier League winner Gaël Clichy – are the only members of the squad to have won a trophy with the club. "Van Persie has won an FA Cup as I have but there's no more trophy winners. We have a lot of responsibility."

But Fabregas responded on Twitter: "Incredible that people try and twist everything to make headlines. Arsène Wenger has had a huge impact on me and my career. Great man."