Wenger Urges Arsenal Fans to Give Fabregas Good Reception and Praises 'Fantastic' Diego Costa

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wants ex-Gunner Cesc Fabregas to receive a good welcome from his former fans during Arsenal's Sunday visit to Chelsea.

The Spaniard moved to Stamford Bridge earlier in the summer for a reported £26m after the French boss rejected the chance to activate the buy-back clause in the midfielder's contract, claiming he had already Mesut Ozil to do the playmaker role.

"It was his decision," Wenger said during the press conference ahead of the London derby. "When he left, we bought Ozil, we did not need to buy attacking players."

Fabregas will face his former club on Sunday for the first time since his summer move to the rivals and Wenger urges the Gunners supporters who visit Stamford Bridge to give a good reception to the former Arsenal hero.

"Everyone respects Cesc here and I want him to get the reception he deserves on Sunday."

Having played eight seasons in North London, the Spaniard has quickly settled in the Premier League, providing six assists in as many Premier League games.

"Cesc Fabregas will have a great career because he's a great player. He knows Arsenal had a positive influence on his career,"

"I have no animosity against Fabregas. He's a player I love."

Meanwhile, the Arsenal manager has claimed he is impressed by the way Diego Costa has adapted to the Premier League pace, scoring eight goals in just six Premier League games despite the fact he is still not totally fit.

"He (Costa) has done fantastically well. I'm impressed by how well he's done. He's focused, determined and ready for a fight," Wenger said.

"He has players who can find him and the timing of his runs make him a very efficient player."

Meanwhile, Wenger has addressed whether Lukas Podolski can leave the club in January after the German international suggested he is ready to request a transfer having grown frustrated with a lack of opportunities in the first team.

"It is quite simple. There is no transfer market at the moment. We are all on board to get a result on Sunday."