Gunners manager Arsene Wenger insists Spanish international Cesc Fabregas will be at Arsenal next season.

Fabregas has been the subject of speculation in the Spanish media about a move to Real Madrid, but Wenger is confident the 20-year-old will be at the heart of his midfield for the next Barclays Premiership campaign.

"Cesc is going to spend the next year with Arsenal," Wenger told Spanish newspaper Marca.

Fabregas trained with Barcelona before joining Arsenal four years ago and seeing his development accelerate.

The Spain international has been the focal point of Wenger's midfield this season, leading to inevitable speculation regarding a return to his native country.

While Wenger is confident Fabregas will stay at the Emirates Stadium, Julio Baptista is set to return to the Bernabeu following his season with Arsenal.

The future of Jose Antonio Reyes, who was loaned to Madrid in the other direction, appears more uncertain as he has consistently repeated his wish to remain in Spain.

Wenger's options in attack will be complicated further next season as Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to play for Togo in the African Nations.

It could give Theo Walcott a chance to shine. The 18-year-old is determined to impress after scoring his first goal for Arsenal in the Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

He said: "It was a big disappointment not to win the Carling Cup but it shows what the young players can do and hopefully we can do it again.

"And I'm sure if we work hard we will be right up there in the title race too."