The F-Factor: Fabregas and Flamini are a class double act

Fabregas confirmed his place among European football's elite with an awesome Champions League performance against those giants of Milan.

Little wonder Rino Gattuso, the terrier who was twice nutmegged by Fabregas, shuffled through a side exit wearing a baseball cap and dark glasses.

Who can forget the sight of the Arsenal midfielder racing wild-eyed into the arms of Arsene Wenger after his 25-yard strike beat Zeljko Kalac six minutes from time?

Or his bare-chested, tub-thumping salute in front of the Arsenal supporters who were up with the gods?

They were magical moments in the stunning 2-0 victory which took Arsenal into the quarter-finals and Fabregas is writing the fairytale.

He oozes class, composure and confidence. Nothing can knock this kid — not 21 until May — sideways.

'He has the capacity, skill and quality to be as good as Kaka,' claimed Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia.

'He can go on to win titles and become a great player. I don't think it matters to Cesc which stadium he plays in or against which team he plays. He just enjoys his football so much.'

The true greats — Maradona, Cruyff, Platini and Zidane — gave the impression that their talent came as second nature and did nothing to shatter the illusion. Fabregas is not far behind.

To watch him play one-touch football is witnessing genuine class. His awareness is on a par with Zidane and his technique is imperious.

'Milan are the type of team Cesc likes to play against,' added Almunia. 'Milan give you the chance to play football and not every team gives you that opportunity.

'When Cesc has a lot of the ball and is given time with it, it allows him to enjoy himself.

'Age doesn't matter when a player has the talent Cesc has. He plays like a veteran.'

In fact, he is a veteran of four Champions League campaigns at Arsenal but his exhilarating display on Tuesday was surely his finest hour.

He famously overshadowed Arsenal great Patrick Vieira at Highbury during their run to the Champions League Final in 2006 but this was something else.

In Mathieu Flamini, the Arsenal manager has found a midfielder who is willing to share the workload.

They smothered Milan, snuffed out that genius Kaka, and then pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping results in the history of the European Cup. Milan's supporters even clapped them off the pitch.

Yes, they were that impressive. Flamini threatened to quit the club last summer but Wenger convinced the Frenchman to stay and fight for his place.

He has responded magnificently, sitting deep and letting Fabregas set the tempo. It works in the Barclays Premier League and it is working for them in Europe.

Arsenal had 56 per cent of the possession against the seven-time winners of the competition. That, by any standards, is a staggering statistic.

Or how about these? Flamini ran 8.1 miles and Fabregas 7.5 miles in Milan. Their opposite numbers — Andrea Pirlo and Gattuso — were a mile behind.

'I don't know if that was my best performance but my job is to work hard for the players who are a little bit more offensive than me,' revealed Flamini.

'We are a team which plays offensively so it's very important to protect the defence, especially against a player like Kaka. My job was to keep him quiet and boss the midfield.'

They were certainly the boss of the ball on Tuesday. Milan barely got a touch and there will be a rebuilding job at the San Siro that looks likely to start with the manager.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are fifth in Serie A and their priority is to finish fourth and protect their status as one of European football's leading clubs.

Courting Jose Mourinho is one of their options after their first defeat by an English side on home soil and that would lead to the predictable tug-o'- war for Didier Drogba.

The Chelsea striker has a verbal agreement that will allow him to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer and his future is crystal clear. Wherever Mourinho goes, so will Drogba.

For now, they are picking up the pieces. '(Silvio) Berlusconi told us in the changing rooms that you cannot win every time and he is right,' admitted Milan vice-president Adriano Galliano.

'To meet Arsenal in the last 16 was unlucky.' He is right but to meet Fabregas in this form was not only unlucky. It was almost unfair.