Cesc Fabregas passes his test with a subtle touch

On an evening when a leader in the mould of Tony Adams would have driven his team forward by demanding fist-pumping enthusiasm, Fabregas went about his game with a quiet efficiency that ultimately produced the deciding moment in a drab encounter.

That Nicklas Bendtner struck the winner with three minutes remaining was almost a sideshow to the wonderful raking pass that exemplified his Spanish team-mate's quick thinking and variety of distribution.

It was his version of leading by example - doing what he does best against frustrating opponents - and a promising sign that the 21-year-old can inspire in the best way possible: by making the difference.

Of course, it would be unrealistic to expect this in every game but manager Arsene Wenger could already feel somewhat vindicated for the bold decision to give his most prized asset the additional responsibility of leading the side.

"Cesc was very good tonight for me," said the Gunners boss. "He focused for 90 minutes in the game, worked hard defensively and offensively.

"It was not easy in midfield because they closed us down very well.

"I expected them to go up a little bit in the second-half but they didn't. Overall I think he had a very good game."

Despite Fabregas's intervention, the result failed to mask the general malaise that grips his team at present.

Missing nine first-team players, the loss of Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri clipped Arsenal's wings to leave a line-up that essentially included four central midfielders - and it showed.

Although combative in central areas, Arsenal struggled for width in their play all night and were consequently unable to stretch their limited but well-organised opponents.

Bendtner's introduction as a 68th-minute substitute was greeted with a mixed reception from an increasingly frustrated crowd but with him came an ability to play a more direct style and it was no coincidence that a long ball proved the pivotal moment. But there were positives.

Ultimately, they won the game - with Arsenal's 150th Champions League goal - and qualified for the knockout stages with a game to spare, rendering next month's trip to Porto a straight fight to top Group G.

And William Gallas came out of the match with considerable credit.

The 31-year-old made an appalling mistake to gift striker Ismael Bangoura a first-half chance, otherwise he produced an efficient and professional display, which was just about all he could do following the fuss of his demotion from the captaincy.

A tight offside call denied him a goal irony would have approved of, but nevertheless Wenger was rightly proud of his former skipper's response after a very difficult week.

"I believe his focus was great," said the 59-year-old. "He wanted to do well and you could see he was completely committed in the game."

Similarly, Bendtner has taken heavy criticism of late as he struggles to fill the goalscoring void created by Emmanuel Adebayor's continuing ankle injury and Robin van Persie's recent suspension.

The Dane, sporting those horrific pink boots, saved Arsenal from a fourth successive game without scoring with a cute finish, although there were complaints from the visitors over a possible handball and the speed with which play restarted from a drop ball.

Wenger said: "It is a great goal. It is not handball. He did not take it with his arm like they complained. A great goal."

It will need to boost the whole side as a visit to Stamford Bridge on Sunday now looms large and a better team would have exploited Arsenal's vulnerability that was most palpable when Artem Milevskiy spurned a glorious chance to put Kiev ahead after 77 minutes.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia spread himself well and Kiev were denied.

It was a let-off for Arsenal's side that contained youngsters Aaron Ramsey, Carlos Vela and a late cameo from Jack Wilshere, who at nearly 16 years and 11 months became the Gunners' youngest ever player in Europe.

All three showed flashes of genuine quality, particularly Mexico frontman Vela, but remain hugely promising works in progress.

Wenger added: "This is the first step for us. It was what the team needs, reassurance and this will give us that."

After Olexandr Aliyev was sent off in the dying moments for manhandling referee Alain Hamer, Fabregas greeted the final whistle by booting the ball aimlessly into the stands - probably in relief more than anything else.

It was one of the few careless passes he played all night.