Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful that Cesc Fabregas will receive a warm reception from Gunners fans when he faces his former club this weekend in a Chelsea shirt.

The Spain international will go head to head with the club where he spent eight years of his career in the Premier League this Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

When Fabregas joined Arsenal's rivals in the summer from Barcelona, the midfielder suggested that he would have preferred a return to the Emirates, but the North London outfit didn't want him.

"It was his decision," Wenger said in this morning's press conference. "When he left we bought [Mesut] Ozil - we did not need to buy attacking players. Everyone respects Cesc here and I want him to get the reception he deserves on Sunday.

"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 [him]. He's a player I love but he made a decision and we have to accept that."

The last time Arsenal played at Stamford Bridge in the league, Chelsea secured a thumping 6-0 victory.