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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has stressed there is 'no chance' of the club selling captain Cesc Fabregas.
The Spain international has again been linked with a return to Barcelona, with reports claiming a deal could be done before the transfer window closes.
But Wenger has rejected the speculation, instead directing attention to the new season and backing his current crop of players to secure the club's first piece of silverware since 2005.
Wenger said: "Do you really think we sell now our players one day before the championship starts, players who are basic players of the team? There is no chance.
"You cannot stop people from having a lot of creative imagination during their sleepless nights, but that does not mean we will do it."
"I believe that in life you are committed to clubs with contracts and in no contract is the colour of your blood described.
"I am more committed than ever to my club, not only this season, but since I have arrived here.
"We are the beginning of a new season now, and it is important that everybody focuses - me, Fabregas
everybody else, just on being successful for the club we love, and the best way we can do that is to do well."
He continued: "The ambition is to finish as high as possible. What is as high as possible is to finish first, it is as simple as that.
"The competition is of a high level and many aspire to that, so let's continue to play the game the way we want to play it and I believe we can show that we have made big steps forward."
Wenger also hinted that he could still delve into the transfer market, although he insisted he is in no rush to make a second signing of the summer, having already brought in Thomas Vermaelen.
He said: "I have all the players in place. If we need to add one or two more, the transfer period is open until 31st August.
"Ideally you want not to move any more, but you always have to adjust. If there is a need there, we will do it.
"The market now is a world market, so you can always find good players.
"There are only a few players who have a price which we cannot reach - maybe 10 in the world, but for the rest, we have access to the market."
The Spain international has again been linked with a return to Barcelona, with reports claiming a deal could be done before the transfer window closes.
But Wenger has rejected the speculation, instead directing attention to the new season and backing his current crop of players to secure the club's first piece of silverware since 2005.
Wenger said: "Do you really think we sell now our players one day before the championship starts, players who are basic players of the team? There is no chance.
"You cannot stop people from having a lot of creative imagination during their sleepless nights, but that does not mean we will do it."
"I believe that in life you are committed to clubs with contracts and in no contract is the colour of your blood described.
"I am more committed than ever to my club, not only this season, but since I have arrived here.
"We are the beginning of a new season now, and it is important that everybody focuses - me, Fabregas
everybody else, just on being successful for the club we love, and the best way we can do that is to do well."He continued: "The ambition is to finish as high as possible. What is as high as possible is to finish first, it is as simple as that.
"The competition is of a high level and many aspire to that, so let's continue to play the game the way we want to play it and I believe we can show that we have made big steps forward."
Wenger also hinted that he could still delve into the transfer market, although he insisted he is in no rush to make a second signing of the summer, having already brought in Thomas Vermaelen.
He said: "I have all the players in place. If we need to add one or two more, the transfer period is open until 31st August.
"Ideally you want not to move any more, but you always have to adjust. If there is a need there, we will do it.
"The market now is a world market, so you can always find good players.
"There are only a few players who have a price which we cannot reach - maybe 10 in the world, but for the rest, we have access to the market."
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