Andrei Arshavin has said that he will understand...

"If he leaves for Barcelona, I"ll understand his choice," Arshavin was quoted as saying by the Sport Express newspaper on Tuesday.

"But as an Arsenal player, this is something I would very much like not to see," he went on.

Spanish international Fabregas, 22, has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks, with reports saying he will sign for the Catalan giants this summer.

"I remember when there were rumors about him leaving last summer - I half jokingly said to him that he should stay, at least for a year or so, as I wanted to play with him," the Russian forward added.

"A year has proven to be too little though," he noted.

Arsenal captain Fabregas joined Arsenal from Barcelona in 2003 and broke into the first team in the 2004/2005 season. However, the only silverware he has lifted in north London has been the 2005 FA Cup, Arsenal"s last major honor.

MOSCOW, February 16 (RIA Novosti)