Arsenal delighted with underdogs tag, says Fabregas

MADRID, May 8 (Reuters) Arsenal's Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas says his team are happy to have been given the underdogs tag ahead of the Champions League final against Barcelona.

''We have never been classed as the favourites this season, not when we played against Real Madrid, nor when we played against Juventus,'' Fabregas told reporters at a get-together for the Spain squad in Madrid today.

''Everyone said that we weren't going to win those games, but we've shown that we've got the quality and character to win through and so we are happy because we know that we can beat Barcelona in the final.'' The 19-year-old, who began his career in the youth ranks at Barcelona, admitted that the final in Paris on May 17 had been given extra spice because it was against his old club.

''It's going to be special because I spent a lot of years there and I still have a lot of friends there. It will be a special challenge but the important thing is that Arsenal win.'' Fabregas, one of 27 players to be included in the Spain get-together ahead of the announcement of the World Cup squad on May 15, said he was still not sure if he would be going to Germany.

''The squad hasn't been decided yet and I have to finish the season and see what happens,'' he said. ''I never expected to be here...I've been lucky to have a chance of going.'' Spain have been drawn in Group H alongside Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

REUTERS AY PM1926