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Fabregas stamps class in Arsenal's Braga rout
Source: Agencies |
September 17, 2010, Friday
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ARSENAL midfielder Cesc Fabregas produced a mesmerizing performance in a 6-0 Group H victory over Portuguese side Braga to open its Champions League campaign, beginning the rout with a penalty, striking again after the halftime and laying on chances galore.
Braga, nicknamed the Arsenalistas, beat Celtic and Sevilla to take its place alongside Europe's elite but the Portuguese were shattered before halftime as Fabregas conducted a show of firepower that will have resonated across the continent.
Andrei Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh helped themselves to goals and substitute Carlos Vela joined the party with a brace as Arsenal, without the injured Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie, threatened its 7-0 record home win in Europe.
They all owed a debt to the inspirational Fabregas, however, as the 23-year-old turned in a performance to rival that of Barcelona's Lionel Messi the previous night.
Tempted
The Arsenal skipper did not look like a player tempted to give up on manager Arsene Wenger's slowly evolving project and head back to the Nou Camp where he began his career.
Arsenal's five-year trophy drought is used as a stick to beat Wenger and given as a reason Fabregas should leave but he believes the Spaniard can achieve all he wants at Arsenal.
"I never said he didn't have his heart here," Wenger said when asked about Fabregas' flirtation with a move back to Barcelona. "He has moved to another dimension.
"People forget he is 23 which is when some players are just starting. He is a fantastic influence on the team and for the young players like (Jack) Wilshere to play alongside him is a fantastic opportunity for them to learn."
Fabregas was simply too good for Braga whose defending was anything but rock-like on a torrid Champions League debut.
He should have iced his evening with a hat-trick in the dying minutes but even then he showed real class, squaring for Vela to tap in with the goal gaping.
"I like the way he gave the ball to Vela because that's the perfect attitude of a leader," Wenger said. "He loves this club. People doubted it but I never did. He enjoys the way we play so what could he want more to be happy?"
Braga, nicknamed the Arsenalistas, beat Celtic and Sevilla to take its place alongside Europe's elite but the Portuguese were shattered before halftime as Fabregas conducted a show of firepower that will have resonated across the continent.
Andrei Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh helped themselves to goals and substitute Carlos Vela joined the party with a brace as Arsenal, without the injured Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie, threatened its 7-0 record home win in Europe.
They all owed a debt to the inspirational Fabregas, however, as the 23-year-old turned in a performance to rival that of Barcelona's Lionel Messi the previous night.
Tempted
The Arsenal skipper did not look like a player tempted to give up on manager Arsene Wenger's slowly evolving project and head back to the Nou Camp where he began his career.
Arsenal's five-year trophy drought is used as a stick to beat Wenger and given as a reason Fabregas should leave but he believes the Spaniard can achieve all he wants at Arsenal.
"I never said he didn't have his heart here," Wenger said when asked about Fabregas' flirtation with a move back to Barcelona. "He has moved to another dimension.
"People forget he is 23 which is when some players are just starting. He is a fantastic influence on the team and for the young players like (Jack) Wilshere to play alongside him is a fantastic opportunity for them to learn."
Fabregas was simply too good for Braga whose defending was anything but rock-like on a torrid Champions League debut.
He should have iced his evening with a hat-trick in the dying minutes but even then he showed real class, squaring for Vela to tap in with the goal gaping.
"I like the way he gave the ball to Vela because that's the perfect attitude of a leader," Wenger said. "He loves this club. People doubted it but I never did. He enjoys the way we play so what could he want more to be happy?"
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