The Big Interview: Cesc Fabregas - 'I want the Premier League title above all else'

By Darren Lewis in Mirror Football Blog

Published 23:02 26/11/09

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Interview by Darren Lewis

Cesc Fabregas will call on the leadership advice from Arsenal legends as he bids to skipper the club to victory over Chelsea this weekend.

The 22-year-old Gunners midfielder is one of the Premier League's youngest captains but he will attempt to put one over the experienced old heads in the Chelsea ranks on Sunday afternoon.

Success in the Emirates contest will reduce the Blues' eight-point gap to just five and see Arsenal draw level with second-placed Manchester United.

Fabregas will use the pearls of wisdom passed on to him from some of the club's finest players when he leads his side out to battle.

The Spaniard, who trained alongside the first team when he joined as a 15-year-old seven years ago, said: "I was very lucky.

"When I arrived I was the only boy training with the first team every day and that meant learning from Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Kanu and Patrick Vieira.

"They were all World Cup winners, European Champions. They'd won Premier Leagues.

"They were always talking to me, helping me. Nowadays the young players at Arsenal don't have that experience to tap into.

"We are a very young squad, but at the same time that means the boss gives a lot of opportunities to young players. But I will always remember how lucky I was."

It was after William Gallas' meltdown at Birmingham two seasons ago that Arsene Wenger passed the captain's armband from the defender to Fabregas.

Far from the move affecting either man's game, however, both players have gone from strength to strength.

Fabregas added: "I will always remember the day the manager asked me to be Arsenal captain. I felt really privileged at that moment.

"Of course there is extra responsibility but nothing changes for me. Sometimes I will play badly, but I always try to give everything in every single game."

It was only this week, prior to the Gunners' facile Champions League win over Standard Liege, that Fabregas spoke of just how much he has grown into the role of spearheading the Arsenal team.

He said: "I've learned a lot since I was named captain. At the beginning, yes, it was a bit difficult because I didn't like to go around saying to the players: 'Come on!!'.

"I feel I am nobody to say these things. I've learned a lot since then though. I know my responsibility. I know my job as a captain now and I know that everyone is helping me a lot.

"More than before if I have to say something now I feel more capable than maybe a year ago."

Now, though, Fabregas is ready to lead from the front and is adamant that - with the likes of Andriy Arshavin and Thomas Vermaelen - Arsenal have the magic to defy those who believe they cannot win the title.

He said: "I hope so. We have improved. All the players are one year older and much better.

"The team really wants to do it this year and we believe we can achieve. We have strengthened, wth Arshavin - who is a special talent and adds another dimension to the team - and Vermaelen, who has started amazingly and is like a defender and midfielder rolled into one at times!

"Its going to be difficult though.

"Chelsea are looking strong and Manchester United may not have [Cristiano Ronaldo and [Carlos] Tevez but they will be there at the end, fighting for it as always.

"The Premier League is the tournament I really want to win. In Spain, the Champions League is seen as superior to La Liga but here the Premier League is the pinnacle.

"Of course I believe we can win it. If not, there's no point in playing football. I play to win and that's what Arsenal fans want."