Tough tackling Fabregas proves Arsenal are gunning for bullies, says Clichy

Sparta Prague accused Fabregas of crocking then mocking their captain during the first half of Arsenal's 2-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday.

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Gamebreaker: Cesc Fabregas slots home

But Arsenal defender Gael Clichy insists the attitude of Fabregas is proof that Arsene Wenger's young team will no longer allow teams to bully them off the pitch.

"It's great to see Cesc this way," said Clichy. "People have been saying it's not his game to play like that, but he has showed he can score, he can pass and he can kick people, so everything is perfect.

"We never like to see people injured but it was a 50-50 challenge with Repka. I hope it's not a big injury but it was nice to see Cesc get in there and that showed the spirit you're going to see from us this year."

Arsenal have put down their marker early after being accused of buckling under pressure from physical teams last season.

Head to head: Alexander Hleb gets close to Sparta captain Repka before the Czech was taken off

While they were beaten just once in the League at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners were turned over seven times away from home.

Fabregas, 20, was booked for the nasty foul on Repka, who had wound up the Gunners by claiming on Czech TV before the game that he was preparing to kick the Londoners.

Clichy said: "Repka talked too much before the game. We know that's the way he plays. He's a really strong defender and we knew he was going to be like that.

"I'm not happy that he's injured but sometimes you have to try to play your best instead of talking."

Sparta officials fumed at Fabregas, firstly for the tackle and also because they claimed the Spain midfielder had tried to belittle their captain by pretending to hobble around like him.

Repka, 33, attempted to play on after the tackle but was eventually forced off and the knee injury he suffered now threatens to rule the former West Ham defender out of the return leg at the Emirates Stadium in 12 days.

Fronting up: Fabregas shows his fiery side when clashing with Sheringham last season

Fabregas, who went on to score Arsenal's opener in the 2-0 win, denied making fun of Repka and said: "He started insulting me so I said: 'OK, well done'. He was using Czech words. I didn't understand.

"I don't think it's good for football to say before the game: 'I will kick their players'. I don't think it's nice.

"If you play football it's not because you want to kick somebody, it's because you want to enjoy it and win for your team. I would never say things like this."

On the foul which earned him a booking, Fabregas added: "Sometimes in a game you need to do these kind of things, not that it's intentional of course, I thought I could win the ball.

"But when you cannot play because they are physically strong, you have to play a physical game as well."

Since establishing himself in the Arsenal team three years ago Fabregas has managed to pick fights with three Premier League icons — Teddy Sheringham, Mark Hughes and Sir Alex Ferguson.

He is alleged to have thrown pizza at Manchester United boss Ferguson in the Old Trafford tunnel, punched striker Sheringham in the stomach after Arsenal's defeat at West Ham and insulted Hughes with a wisecrack about Blackburn's style of football.

Now he has added a Czech hero and former Upton Park favourite to his list of enemies but there was a genuine feeling inside the Arsenal camp that their display in Prague in the face of physical intimidation may become important in the development of Arsene Wenger's team.

Clichy said: "Every weekend we play against teams like this in England. This year we are ready and we're going to show everyone we're not the same team any more. We believe we have football quality and physical quality.

"We showed it in Prague and we will show it again."