Cesc Fábregas unhappy at Barcelona bit-part role under Tito Vilanova

The 25-year-old returned to his boyhood club from Arsenal in a £30million deal last summer. However, under Barcelona's new manager Tito Vilanova, Fábregas has found his chances limited.

He is yet to complete a full 90 minutes this season, and was an unused substitute against Real Madrid in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup last week.

The former Arsenal captain told Marca: "There's no such thing as a great substitute in the world of football - I couldn't tell you what makes a great substitute.

"I always wish my team-mates well and put a happy face on. If I have to take my unhappy face home then so be it, but I would never let my team-mates or manager see it.

"I've always said that I play for the best team in the world, but I came here to compete, to learn and enjoy, not to sit racking my brains."

Arsenal still hold first option to re-sign their former talisman. But Fábregas added: "I am delighted to be a part of this team, but when a coach tells me I have to go, I will go - but I will not make it easy for him to do so, by any means, Kazinform quotes the Guardian.

"I will keep going, looking forward to the time that things change. I came here to see out my career."