Fabregas drives Gunners to win. [ Tuesday September 04, 2007]
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed the reason why midfield sensation Cesc Fabregas has enjoyed such a productive start to the season, having seen the young Spaniard net four times from midfield. “I made a tape of him and he couldn't believe how many chances he missed in a match, sometimes three,” said Wenger, who insisted that Fabregas has all the know how and skill to become “the new Paul Scholes.”

“People forget, he's only twenty, but he has all the characteristics of Scholes,” gushed Wenger, Arsenal, despite being reduced to ten men when Philippe Senderos was shown a straight red card for impeding Kanu as the Nigeria forward was about to shoot, overcame a dogged Portsmouth with a 3-1 win at The Emirates Stadium. Emmanuel Adebayor opened the scoring from the penalty spot on seven minutes, after Robin van Persie was tripped up by England 'keeper David James. Fabregas doubled the Gunners advantage on thirty-five minutes, reacting to Gilberto's header to score his fourth of the season. When you consider that Fabregas scored only four times in the whole of the 2006/07 season, you can begin to understand why Wenger sanctioned the controversial departure of Patrick Vieira for £ 13.75m to Juventus two years ago.

Despite encouraging forages forward from the visitors notably by Kanu, Matt Taylor and John Utaka, the Portsmouth defence were guilty of switching off for Arsenal's third. A quick thinking Fabregas set up Tomas Rosicky for his second goal in five days.

Kanu's immediate response from the dangerous Utakas's cross gave Pompey a consolation goal, but the afternoon belonged to an impressive young Arsenal outfit who are now level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premiership.

“We had an outstanding performance in all areas,” observed Wenger. “First half we played some fantastic football. In the second half we were tested mentally as well and we showed a great response. There's something happening in this team, we are super ambitious and that creates a positive pressure. I think I have a good team, and enough quality to fight for the championship, I selected this team and they have enough to share my ambition.”

In another boost for Arsenal, Wenger was confident his ongoing contract saga will resolved next week and insisted that the sale of former vice chairman David Dein's shares to Alisher Usmanov from Uzbekistan and Iranian Farhad Moshiri's “Red and White” holding company would not be a distraction to him and his side. Wenger although still close to Dein and who now becomes the chairman of “Red and White,” denied ever meeting Usmanov or Moshiri.

For Wenger however, on the field, things could not be better. They play the Elvis hit “The Wonder of You,” prior to all home game kick-off's at The Emirates Stadium, and that title from “The King of Rock' n' Roll's 60's hit could be said of Wenger's men. There is a resolve, a newfound spirit and togetherness in this Arsenal side who having won all three home fixtures have routinely gathered in the centre-circle in a huddle emphasising those special qualities that Wenger believes the Gunners possess to mount a serious challenge for the Premiership title. Only time will tell if he is right.