Arsene Wenger reveals Mesut Ozil blocked the path for Fabregas to return to Arsenal

Arsene Wenger believes that he has been vindicated in his decision to reject Cesc Fabregas in the summer given the influence Mesut Ozil has had on the squad this season.

The German was out for four months with a knee injury, but has set the Premier League on fire since his return, a period when Arsenal won eight games on the bounce and reached the finals of the FA Cup yet again.

The former Real Madrid man was bought for a record £42.7m fee from Spain in 2013, but his first season at the club incurred a lot of criticism from fans and pundits alike, who bashed him for his failure to affect games like he did in Madrid. Meanwhile, Fabregas left Barcelona for Chelsea in 2014.

However, Wenger kept faith in him and when the chance came to bring back Fabregas, who made an unceremonious exit from the team in 2011 to rejoin his former club Barcelona, he passed over the opportunity, allowing Chelsea to make a swoop for their former captain. The investment was worth every penny as Fabregas made 16 assists this season to assert Chelsea's position at the top of the Premier League table.

Wenger, on the eve of Arsenal's crucial game against Chelsea, insists that he had made no mistake in his assessment and that Fabregas would be surplus to requirements at the club.

"There would be congestion. We don't only have Sanchez and Ozil but also Jack Wilshere in this position, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey; all offensive players. When you have to spend £35m to £40m and on top of that for a position where you already have players, you have to question what is the logic?" Wenger said.

"When a big player goes from your club, everyone says you have to buy another one with the same qualities.

"But once he has gone and you have brought another one with the same qualities and then he wants to come back, it is not obvious to spend so much money on a position that is exactly the same. Where does Cesc play on Sunday? Behind the striker. Where does Ozil play? Behind the striker," he added.