BARCELONA, Spain — Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas downplayed the importance of his first match at the Camp Nou since leaving Barcelona, saying Tuesday's Champions League encounter needs no added significance ahead of his return to the ground of his boyhood club.
Fabregas has recovered from a hamstring injury to make Arsenal's squad for the return leg of the last-16 match, with the Gunners holding a 2-1 advantage.
Fabregas, who came through Barcelona's academy before joining the Gunners at 16, missed last year's quarterfinal in the Catalan capital due to injury.
"I want to win for Arsenal and that's it. I don't put anything extra in my head because I play Barcelona in the Nou Camp," Fabregas said Monday. "It's just one more game and we want to win."
Fabregas, who grew up in a town just up the coast from the Mediterranean city, was on the defensive when questions were raised over his allegiances. The Spanish World Cup winner has long been linked with a return to Barcelona.
"I feel like everybody — I want to win and do well for the club and go through to the next stage of the Champions League," Fabregas said. "It's a game you don't play every day. It's a series that could be considered a final or semifinal. Both teams are on a great run and playing great."
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said stopping Fabregas was key to Barcelona's chances.
"Before (Arsenal) attacks they need two or three passes, and if Cesc or (Samir) Nasri get (the ball), it gives time for other players to run into empty spaces," Guardiola said.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Fabregas would play after recovering from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the past three matches, including the League Cup final defeat to Birmingham.
It will be the 23-year-old midfielder's fourth match against the Spanish champions, with Fabregas winning once and losing twice.
"We have to be ready for everything. We're not used to having so little possession but we have to be ready for that," Fabregas said. "My fitness is good and for the last six days I've been training outside and I haven't felt anything."
Jack Wilshere is set to play behind Fabregas in midfield on his first visit to the Camp Nou, his recent good form providing a boost for Arsenal with striker Robin van Persie not certain to play due to a knee injury.
"He is a top player, a big surprise," Guardiola said of the 19-year-old Wilshere. "We have many players like him in our second team. It's very good news in global football to have a player like him."