Wenger: Fantastic Cesc showed he loves Arsenal
Published 23:02 15/09/10 By John Cross
Arsene Wenger last night hailed his Captain Fantastic Cesc Fabregas and insisted he never doubted his commitment to Arsenal.
Gunners skipper Fabregas scored twice, helped set up another three goals as Arsenal ran riot in the Champions League Group stages.
It left Wenger praising Fabregas and he claimed he is determined to win trophies this season despite his flirtation with Barcelona last summer.
Arsenal boss Wenger said: "Cesc had a big influence again tonight, but we had many good performances on the pitch. Everybody played quite well. We were sound at the back, Jack Wilshere had a good game as well. Everybody played well.
"I never said Cesc's heart wasn't here. He has taken on another dimension. People forget he's 23 where other people start.
"He is a fantastic influence and it's important that he leads this team to winning. The young players, playing alongside him, its a fantastic opportunity. If you're 18, like Wilshere, and you see Fabregas, it's a big opportunity to learn a lot.
"I like the way Cesc gave the ball to Vela instead of trying himself for a hat trick, because that reflects the attitude of a leader. He's not selfish. And it reflects the way we play.
"I think, when you find in a club the way you want to play football, and he loves this club. People doubted that, but I never doubted that. He arrived here at the age of 16 and enjoys the way we play. What more do you want to be happy?"
Fabregas admitted he was desperate to score a hat trick but insisted he was happy at the club.
Spain World Cup winner Fabregas said: "I think I had a lot of opportunities and I had a one-on-one. I'm disappointed. I wanted to score a hat-trick. I'm professional and I wanted a hat-trick today.
"It was a good performance but, in the last 10 minutes, we played too easily and we should have stepped up. We have to make sure we do it for 90 minutes.
"I'm comfortable here. I've always been very comfortable here."
Wenger also claimed he is confident his team can win some silverware this season after their brilliant start to the campaign.
Wenger added: "I'm convinced they can win trophies this season. I have problems to convince other people, but that's normal.
"But it's the start of the season. Let's take encouragement from what we've done at the moment. Humility and work. That's what we need."
