Djourou calm about Fabregas talk

Djourou (left) and Fabregas have been team-mates since 2004

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has said speculation about the sale of captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona has not been a distraction for the club's players.

The Gunners had rejected an initial bid from the Catalans but are expecting an improved offer for the 24-year-old.

"We know that there will be stories but we know what we're aiming for and what our goal is," Djourou told BBC World.

"We want to be successful so we don't really get distracted by this. If he [Fabregas] goes, he goes."

"He's been a great player for us and he'll always have been a great player for us, but it's his decision," said the Switzerland defender.

Experience is very important but now if you look around this team we have been here for a long time, so it's no more an excuse to say we don't have experience

Johan Djourou

While Djourou remains hopeful that his team-mate will stay at the Emirates, he said Fabregas's departure would provide others with opportunities to impress.

Last season it was suggested that French midfielder Samir Nasri was more effective when the Spaniard was not in the side, a perspective Djourou understands.

"It could be true because when you look at players who normally come out and express themselves, it's when someone goes," he said.

"When Thierry [Henry] went, Cesc expressed himself even more, but the two together [Fabregas and Nasri] are great so you'd rather keep them. If someone goes then I'm sure someone will step up."

Whether or not Fabregas stays, Djourou said Arsenal no longer have any excuses if they fail to end their wait for a trophy, which stretches back to their FA Cup success in 2005.

"Sometimes you're missing a little something to give you what you deserve," he said. "Last season we were so close to trophies but also so far. There was a little bit missing but it's not much.

"It's hard to say what's missing. We have players who are still young and who will grow up. Experience is very important but now if you look around this team we have been here for a long time, so it's no more an excuse to say we don't have experience."

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