Wenger Stands By Under-Fire Skipper

Fabregas, 23, has once again found himself the centre of attention after Everton manager David Moyes claimed the Spain midfielder made unrepeatable comments to match officials, which should have earned him a red card, as the players went down the tunnel at half-time of their Barclays Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, when Arsenal trailed to a controversial goal which appeared offside.

The Football Association have confirmed referee Lee Mason did not include any such incident in his report, although further speculation of just what the Arsenal captain was reported to have shouted, questioning the integrity of the officials, emerged today.

Fabregas is certainly no stranger to controversy.

The Spain international was accused of spitting at Hull assistant boss Brian Horton at the end of their stormy FA Cup quarter-final in March 2009 - a charge of which he was subsequently cleared by the FA.

In January, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said the Arsenal skipper had been "clever" in winning a penalty which saw Gary Caldwell sent off, while Fabregas himself felt the need to use his programme notes for the Everton match to clear up a Twitter row with Huddersfield's Anthony Pilkington over the swapping of shirts after their FA Cup fourth-round win on Sunday.

Wenger is in no doubt there is an agenda against his captain - but has backed the World Cup winner to come through as he drives the team on for success in all four competitions.

Asked by Press Association Sport if he thought there was a witch hunt against Fabregas, Wenger replied: "Yes.

"We are long enough in the job to know that somebody picks on you for a while, and you are in the heat of the moment.

"But for me what is the most important is the player behaves well.

"When Cesc is on the pitch, he tries to play football - I cannot say everybody who plays against him tries to do that.

"For example, some people reproach him for not exchanging shirts with a player after the game - but I hope he will not exchange shirts with players who try to kick him for 90 minutes and them come to say 'please can I get your shirt?'

"I think that is a normal and natural reaction.

"Overall this guy is an example on the football pitch and shows you how to play football."

He added: "People are more demanding, and Cesc has to live with that.

"It is not easy, but he is a very intelligent man and he will learn very quickly to cope with that.

"Cesc is 24 this year, he has played 250 games in the Premier League - at that age, it is absolutely remarkable.

"He has gone through a lot, difficult moments, but has always come out stronger - this guy is a fantastic leader."

The FA now consider the matter closed, although Everton could yet make a formal complaint.

Fabregas issued a statement last night, insisting he did not overstep the mark and held the utmost respect for all match officials, adding "many things are said in the heat of the moment".

Wenger rebuked Everton manager Moyes for ever bringing the situation into the public domain.

"I believe that it is wrong for Moyes to come out on what he pretends to have heard in the tunnel," Wenger said.

"If I come out with what I have heard in the tunnel is the last 10 years, you would be amazed.

"I think there is a rule in our job to never come out with what is said in the heat of the moment. That usually is respected by everybody."

Wenger added: "If Cesc is guilty, he would have been charged. He has not been charged by the FA, there is no action against him so I don't see why we should spend any more time to defend somebody who is not guilty.

"For me the incident is closed."

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, meanwhile, will miss the rest of the season as he requires surgery on a damaged shoulder.

Wojciech Szczesny is therefore set to continue in goal against Newcastle on Saturday, but midfielder Alex Song (thigh) will not feature while Theo Walcott has recovered from a minor ankle knock picked up in midweek.