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Cesc Fabregas ready for his first game as captain of Arsenal
25.11.08
New Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has urged his Arsenal team-mates to forget about their problems of the past three weeks and prove they are still one of the best clubs in Europe.
The Gunners take on Dynamo Kiev tonight under the leadership of the 21-year-old Spaniard for the first time after he replaced William Gallas as skipper yesterday.
A point would almost certainly guarantee Arsenal's passage into the last 16 but Fabregas wants the Gunners to rediscover their form after losing three of their last four Premier League matches.
He said: "We have to prove that all the criticism we have had is not justified - that we are together and that we are one of the best teams in the country and in Europe."
Fabregas said he felt proud to be handed the armband after becoming the club's youngest skipper since Tony Adams.
He added: "It's a real honour for me to be captain of one of the biggest clubs in the world and I feel very proud. I will give it my best and try to take the team forward.
"I don't think it matters about my age. I have a lot of experience in terms of the amount of football I've played for Arsenal and I know all my team-mates very well.
"Being captain won't change me as a person. I'm the same guy and player."
Fabregas hoped that by becoming captain, all talk about him leaving Emirates Stadium for Barcelona or Real Madrid will now end.
He added: "Each year people talk about me leaving yet I'm still here and I want to be part of the future. I love the club and I'm totally committed to it. I'm not looking to play anywhere else.
"Of course, the future for Arsenal is bright. The players are very much looking forward to the next few years."
Manager Arsene Wenger stripped Gallas of the captaincy and left him out of the squad at Manchester City on Saturday following his latest public criticism of the team, where he questioned their fighting spirit and revealed details of a supposed troubled dressing room. But Gael Clichy believes that Fabregas can now bring success back to Arsenal.
The defender said: "Tony Adams had the armband at a young age and now he is one of the greats with the fans. I hope Cesc will do the same.
"When he started in the team everyone was saying he was too young to have so much responsibility but he has shown he can handle a team and put in good performances."
Reader views (10)
So whose going to be Arsenal captain next year after Fabregas has gone back to Spain ?
- Paxton, N17
Rob, love you comments.
- Jaberwokie3, Switzerland
Now Wenger compounds his original mistake of making Gallas captain by picking a 21 year old to replace him. I think its too much pressure to put on Fabergas's young shoulders. The opposing teams already go out of their way to wind him up and they will probably be giving him even more attention now. A wonderful player like Fabergas needs to concentrate on doing just that and not have to worry about how the rest of his team mates are performing. Personally I would have given the armband to the more experienced Silvestre.
- James Hennessy, London England
Well done Mr Wenger.
Now let's get down to serious football tonight against D Kiev.
- Allen Thiang, London, UK
Don't Forget wenger's root's he used to manage Grampus 8!
+First English Club to do the double/ First English club to be successfull in Europe don't forget... + silverware within the last 4 yrs
All the great managers have to get a grounding somewhere dude... + new training ground + new stadium at our spiritual home... Unlike the nomads of London...
- Chris Truespur, Essex
Great player, I'm not so sure how he'll control the Arsenal ego's when things start going wrong though...
Come on you Spurs!!!
- Chris Truespur, Essex
agent gallas, return to chelsea at once.
your mission is complete....
- Simon Bucknell, enfield
An excellent choice of captain befitting Arsenal's policy of bringing through superb young talent. We now have 21st century training facillities, stadium & young quality players. We are willing to be patient whilst Arsene brings his dream to fruition. Unlike our friends down the road, who havent won the league for approaching 50 years, never competed in the Champions League & have a small stadium, poor training facillities & an ex-Southampton, West Ham & Portsmouth manager. Whatever makes them happy !
- Rob Gooner, North London
Great move by Wenger giving Fabregas the armband,he is young but has a lot of experience and plays like a natural leader.Now all they have to do is put all of the critism behind them and shut up all the knockers,who have been jumping on the bandwagon the last few weeks.I think that this is a positive turning point for Arsenal,and in the spirit of great players like former captain Tony Adams they will bounce back with fight and a new vigour.Fabregas will be the "backbone" of the team,there is no place for Gallas, as far as i am concerned he should take his over inflated ego back across the channel as soon as we can offload him,he has done enough damage already and i was shocked he was training with the team,Arsenal are a big team and there is no room for this player who i feel is not mentally 100%.
- Jim Ex Pat,N1, thailand
if they don`t win this game then they are struggling..no excuse,Kiev are coming to the end of their season and as wenger often puts it out Kiev are travelling after a weekend game..so they might be TIRED.
Even so,The Gooners will still end the year empty handed,pretty football and no prizes..well whatever makes you lot happy.
- Sparky, herts
