Dixon hopes Fabregas stays at Arsenal

Fabregas continues to be linked with Barcelona (AP)

Lee Dixon is hopeful the strength of the Premier League will convince Cesc Fabregas to stay at Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners captain has again been strongly linked with a return to Barcelona, the club he left to move to London as a 17-year-old in 2003.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be desperate to hang on to his prized asset and, despite the club again failing to win silverware this season, Dixon feels Fabregas would be loath to leave.

"I think he's very happy at Arsenal, I think it's the best league to play in and he's got to look at that," Dixon told Press Association Sport.

"There'll be a big draw from Barcelona but I think the Premier League is the most exciting to play in week in, week out.

"Obviously they need to be in the Champions League and they need to be pushing for the top honour of winning the league but I'm sure he'll sit down with Arsene Wenger at some point and they'll chat about his future, like they probably do every year.

"I think Wenger will make some signings this summer and they'll be a lot stronger for next year."

Dixon played more than 450 times for Arsenal between 1988 and 2002, winning numerous trophies, including the league title four times and the FA Cup on three occasions.

The Gunners have not lifted a trophy since the FA Cup in 2005 and that will not change this year after their Premier League title challenge faded.

Dixon has spotted positive signs this campaign but believes there are still plenty of areas for Wenger to work on.

"They are judged on silverware like all big clubs," he added. "There's been progression but there's also some old faults that are still there. They're not particularly good without the ball and that needs to be addressed."

Arsenal are at least sure of their place in Champions League qualifying for next season and they could be joined by Manchester City, the club Dixon supported as a boy.

Roberto Mancini's side head into the last three matches a point adrift of Tottenham and Aston Villa, who they play in their next two games.

Dixon said: "They've got a great chance. It's in their hands but there's two massive games coming up against Villa and Tottenham so it could go any way."

The pressure has been on City to clinch fourth spot this season because of the amount of money invested in players by owners Abu Dhabi United Group.

Dixon believes the club are still a work in progress but would not be surprised to see them lift the Premier League trophy in the future.

"Just because you spend money, it doesn't make a team and there's lots of work to be done there," he continued. "There'll be more signings in the summer but you need to build a team ethic and it takes more than a chequebook to do that.

"But I think it's only a matter of time before all that gels together and they probably will end up winning the Premier League at some point."