Fabregas not on Portugal flight

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was not part of the 19-man squad which travelled to Portugal ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly against Benfica.

The Spaniard has been the subject of speculation all summer linking him with a return to Barcelona, and has not featured for the Gunners in any of their pre-season matches to date.

Arsenal listed their full 19-man party which flew out from the UK on Friday evening and the 24-year-old was conspicuous by his absence.

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