Arsene Wenger has refused to allow Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas to play in a friendly game for Catalunya on December 22.

The midfielder has been named in Johan Cruyff's squad to face Argentina at the Nou Camp but Wenger, concerned about the Premier League fixture congestion around Christmas and no doubt the current injury situation, will not let Fabregas go.

"We don't allow the players to play in friendlies because we have too many games," said the Frenchman, according to the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com.

"You know what happens here in England, we play football through the Christmas period. But in all the other countries they stop and play friendlies and charity games.

"There is a demand for Cesc but there is a demand for five or six other players. We play on December 27 and I didn't rest the players against Olympiacos [to then] let them play a friendly."

Wenger’s message either hasn’t gone down well with Cruyff or the Dutchman hasn’t received it yet.

"I tried to call [Cruyff] back [to tell him but] I couldn't get in touch with him. I don't know if he doesn't use a mobile or I tried to call him in the mountains somewhere but I haven't heard back."

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