Cesc Fabregas is 'desperate' to face Barcelona in Arsenal's 'most difficult' game of the season.

Midfielder insists Gunners are not scared of meeting holders

Big challenge

Cesc Fabregas is 'desperate' to face Barcelona and expects Arsenal's UEFA Champions League tie against his former club to be the 'most difficult' of the season. Gunners captain Fabregas is battling to be fit for the first leg of the quarter-final tie on Wednesday night after suffering a knee injury against Birmingham City last weekend. He missed training on Tuesday and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is likely to leave a decision on whether to play Fabregas until the warm-up before kick-off. Wenger is adamant he will not gamble on the midfielder's fitness after Fabregas outlined his desire to line up against the club where he started his career. "Ever since the draw was made I've dreamt about this game and I am desperate to play in it," Fabregas told. "I've never disguised my affection for Barcelona, it's where I was brought up and where I learned so many beautiful things about football. "But Arsenal have the same principles and this is our chance to show the world that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with Barcelona and emerge triumphant. You can't imagine how much I want to be part of that."Fabregas is looking forward to the challenge of tackling Barcelona and insists Arsenal are not scared of meeting the holders over two legs. He added: "Football is all about moments like this, all about challenges and this is a big challenge for Arsenal and for myself. "Individually you want to prove yourself against the biggest players in the world. And that's Barcelona - they are a team packed full of some of the best players in the world. "So you want to show you can play against them, there's nothing better. To be honest this is the most exciting time of my career and now I want to make it brilliant. "You know the next few days are going to be so good because the most important games of the season are coming. "Yes, Barcelona are the best team in the world, so if you can avoid them until the final then it is definitely much better. But we are not scared of anyone. "It will be difficult, of course, probably the most difficult game of the season. And what a game."