Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas has praised Thierry Henry, telling the world that he is a fantastic player and his goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup rolled back the years.

Thierry Henry is widely regarded as an Arsenal legend in North London and has a statue of him outside the stadium. He returned to the club he played for from 1999 to 2007 on a loan deal from MLS side New York Red Bulls.

It seems odd to have to report that anyone is trying to defend the two-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year Award, but for some reason it is news!?

Cesc Fabregas has jumped to the defence of Lionel Messi, who has been criticised in the press in Spain for not having an absolutely spectacular match each and every time he pulls on the blue and purple shirt of Barcelona.

His performances have still been great though, Cesc says.

Barcelona have taken the first steps in bringing Cesc Fabregas back to the Camp Nou. According to the Sunday Mirror, the European champions are in "formal contact" with Arsenal over the 24-year-old Spaniard but no official offer has yet been tabled.

The paper quotes Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood, as saying: "Yes, they have spoken to us about Cesc. They have been in touch. But so far they have not made a bid and we do not want to let him go."

Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas escaped unhurt despite suffering a huge crash in his Mercedes SL500 while on way to training - with some news agencies reporting that he was checking the latest european football scores at the time.

According to The Sun, Fabregas, 23, had been driving 15 miles from his home in Hampstead, North London, to the Gunners' training ground at London Colney, near St Albans, Hertfordshire.

But he fell foul of a 50 mph stretch of the A41 near Edgware, just before road works reduced three lanes to two.

Cesc Fabregas will be staying with Arsenal according to Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis. Fabregas has long been linked with a return to Barcelona but Gazidis, while refusing to guarantee the midfielder would be at the Emirates next season, believes the club are in a strong position with no indication the player will be on his way.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has said that his team are strong enough to face Barcelona and have no fear at all.The Gunners are still haunted by their spanking the Spanish giants dished out to them in last season's quarter-finals, drawing 2-2 in the first-leg before winning 4-1 in the return leg at the Nou Camp.

And with the form Pep Guardiola's side are in at the moment - losing just twice this season and are five points clear at the top of the La Liga - there are real cause for fear and concern among the Gunners ranks.

Barcelona are reportedly preparing a bid for signing Cesc Fabregas in the summer.The current Primera Liga frontrunners have tried in vain to sign the Arsenal midfielder in recent years in a bid to bring the 23-year-old back to Spain.

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta was frustrated at a lack of progress in the deal, as was Rosell in the summer.

Fabregas was part of the youth set-up at Camp Nou but has flourished into one of the world's top players under Arsene Wenger at the Emirates.

Cesc Fabregas has warned Arsenal not to be complacent against Ipswich town in the Carling cup.Even though Arsene Wenger will again rotate his squad, the Gunners are odds-on favourites to easily dispose of the Tractor Boys - who appointed Paul Jewell as successor to Roy Keane - and reach Wembley next month as they look to secure a first piece of silverware in six seasons.

However, Cesc Fabregas, who came off the bench on Saturday to net a last-minute penalty against Leeds which kept Arsenal in the FA Cup, is in no doubt the Suffolk club will be 'motivated' to cause a major upset.

Cesc Fabregas has spoken for the first time about his fear of not winning the title this season. The Gunners skipper believes fear is holding the side back at the moment, with Arsene Wenger yet to get his troops firing on all cylinders in the games that really matter.

A 1-0 defeat to rivals Manchester United last time out once again highlighted Arsenal's weaknesses when it comes to competing on the grandest of stages.

Cesc Fabregas in a desparate attempt will see if he can make a return against Manchester United. Arsenal captain Fabregas has done light training sessions this week but has not yet fully tested out his hamstring injury.

But Cesc Fabregas will train with the first team group for the first time today and tomorrow before Arsene Wenger decides whether to pick him to face Manchester United.