Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that being the captain is "too much" pressure for Cesc Fabregas, but believes the Barcelona target will grow stronger from yet another trophyless season
Wenger's side are coming to the end of a sixth season without any silverware following last weekend's defeat at Bolton which all but ended their hopes of winning the Premier League this season.
23-year-old Fabregas continues to be linked with an end-of-season move to boyhood club Barcelona, despite Wenger insisting his skipper will not be sold.
But while talk of a return to Camp Nou is set to run and run over the summer, Wenger does concede that the midfielder is frustrated at the north London club.
"It is too much for him at his age. I believe so," Wenger said of his young captain. "But he is the captain of the team and [Robin] van Persie is vice-captain, they put a lot of pressure on themselves."
The Frenchman continued: "Cesc is a winner. He wants to win, he is desperate to win the games, and of course when it does not work, he is frustrated.
"It is too much because it doesn't go as well. Once it will go well, he will grow with it.
"Every difficulty in life will make you stronger, especially when you have a strong character, and Cesc is a strong character. I believe it will make him stronger, but maybe this season it is a bit of a heavy burden."
Last week it was reported that Fabregas would be allowed to leave the club providing a £35million bid was made - claims Wenger later dismissed.
But with both the Spain international and team-mate Samir Nasri being linked with big money moves away from the Emirates, it appears that Wenger will have to deal with continued speculation about his prize assets when the transfer window reopens for business at the end of the season.
