Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger: I Would Gamble On Cesc Fabregas’ Fitness Again
December 28th, 2009
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes he was tight in taking a gamble on the fitness of skipper Cesc Fabregas during the 3-0 win over Aston Villa.
The Spaniard had been out with a hamstring problem, and was given a spot on the bench with a view to being brought on only as a last ditch measure.
The score line remained goalless until the Frenchman decided to bring on Fabregas, who then went on to bag a brace and secure the three points for the Gunners – albeit in costly circumstances – as the Gunners No.4 could miss a further few weeks of action if tests prove his 27-minute cameo has aggravated his injury.
“I feel that I did the right thing, and would do it again,” Wenger said, according to the Press Association.
“Had we been 1-0 up I would not have done it, but at the end of the day you do what you think will win the game.
“Aston Villa are a team which makes you nervy because you can be dominant and lose the game.
“You could think ‘we were dominant and did not take advantage of it, so let’s be cautious’ – or you gamble a bit try to push it further and score. That is what I did.”
Following the victory, Arsenal are now four points behind league leaders Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand.
Arsenal 3 – 0 Aston Villa
December 28th, 2009
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas came off the bench to inspire his side to a victory over Aston Villa.
Fabregas picked himself up after being fouled by Richard Dunne and curled in a 25-yard free-kick with aplomb.
The goal came after Villa keeper Brad Friedel had denied William Gallas from point-blank range and kept out an Andrey Arshavin shot.
A first-time finish from Fabregas after a Theo Walcott pass and an Abou Diaby strike wrapped up the win for Arsenal.
Fabregas had started as a substitute because of a hamstring problem and was brought on after 57 minutes to give his side extra impetus in beating a stubborn Villa side.
The move paid off for manager Arsene Wenger but he will be concerned that his skipper aggravated his injury in sprinting on to Walcott’s ideally weighted pass and had to be replaced on 84 minutes.
However, the victory moved the Gunners to within four points of Premier League leaders Chelsea with a game in hand over their London rivals.
Villa had already beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United so far this season to show encouraging signs that they are mentally tougher and have a stronger squad to avoid the same collapse as last season in the chase for a top four place.
Their credentials for another top four assault were under the microscope at the Emirates and they were found wanting ahead of another stern test of their resolve and depth when they play Liverpool on Tuesday.
Prior to the introduction of Fabregas, the game had proved an intriguing and tight contest after Arsenal missed the chance to take an early lead with Villa caught cold.
Diaby forced his way past Stephen Warnock and laid the ball to Eduardo, who turned Dunne for a clear sight of goal only to strike a tame effort straight at keeper Friedel.
Denilson powered a 25-yard shot over the Villa goal but the visitors had heeded the warning signs and quickly raised their game.
Villa adopted the same strategy which helped them impressively beat the Gunners at the Emirates last season as they soaked up pressure and played on the counter-attack.
The pace of Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor, the midfield energy of James Milner and aerial strength of Emile Heskey was key to Villa’s tactics.
But a wary Arsenal were wise to the Villa ploy and a Young strike looping over the bar after a deflection off Alexandre Song was a rare threat on their goal.
Villa’s defence was aiming for a fifth clean sheet and looked sturdy enough before they had some scares as Arsenal upped their intensity and urgency as they started to dominate.
Gallas came close for the home side when he tried to turn in an Eduardo knock-down but Friedel blocked and Carlos Cuellar cleared and Friedel again foiled Arsenal by saving an Arshavin shot.
Villa finally buckled when Dunne fouled Fabregas, who rewarded Arsenal’s pressure when he sent a free-kick over the Villa wall and into the top corner.
Armand Tarore’s sweeping pass found Walcott on the right flank and he set up Fabregas for the second as Villa found Arsenal too hot to handle.
And Diaby added the gloss to the win when he ran at a retreating Villa defence and found the bottom corner with a precise strike past the despairing dive of Friedel.
Cesc Fabregas hits the winner as Arsenal beat Hannover 96
July 30th, 2009
Cesc Fabregas fired the winning goal to maintain Arsenal’s unbeaten start to their pre-season campaign.
The Arsenal skipper made an immediate impact on his return after playing for Spain in the Confederations Cup in South Africa.
William Gallas and new boy Thomas Vermaelen impressed too, forming a solid defensive partnership.
Fabregas scored after nine minutes, taking the ball around Hannover keeper Robert Enke before sliding it home.
In a sign he may be joining the Emirates exodus, Emmanuel Eboue threw his shirt and boots to the fans afterwards.