Arsenal coach Arsenal Wenger has blasted Dutch legend Johan Cruyff’s request to call-up midfielder Cesc Fabregas for a Catalan friendly against Argentina on 22 December.

The Dutch footballing master is the current coach of the Catalan national team and has arranged a friendly with none other than Diego Maradona’s Argentina on 22 December.

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has been asked to feature in the match having been born in Vilassar de Mar, in Catalonia, north-east of Barcelona.

However, with the match coming five days before the Gunners are due to face Aston Villa in the Premier League, predictably Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger is not best pleased and blasted Cruyff’s request.

"We don't allow the players to play in friendlies because we have too many games [at Arsenal]," the Frenchman was quoted as saying by the Independent.

"In life you always have to do well for the guy who pays you and the rest is less important. If they want to play charity games, the best way to be charitable is to sign a shirt, because basically I consider [playing in games] is on the cost of the club.

"In England we play football through the Christmas period. In all the other countries they stop and they 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 27 December and I rested the [senior] players against Olympiacos [on Wednesday] and then I have to let them play a friendly?"

Despite Catalonia traditionally playing games before Christmas to compensate the break in the Spanish league season, the Gunners are under no obligation to release the 22-year-old as Catalonia are not an officially FIFA recognized nation.