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{ Wenger backs under-fire Fabregas(UKPA) – 38 minutes ago

Arsene Wenger has claimed Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was the subject of a witch hunt.

According to Everton manager David Moyes, the Spain midfielder made unrepeatable comments to match officials as the players went down the tunnel at half-time of their Barclays Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, which should have earned him a red card, but Lee Mason did not include the incident in his report.

Asked if he thought there was a witch hunt against Fabregas, the Arsenal manager replied: "Yes. We are long enough in the job to know that somebody picks on you for a while, and you are in the heat of the moment. But for me what is the most important is the player behaves well."

He added: "When Cesc is on the pitch, he tries to play football - I cannot say everybody who plays against him tries to do that.

"For example, some people reproach him for not exchanging shirts with a player after the game - but I hope he will not exchange shirts with players who try to kick him for 90 minutes and them come to say 'please can I get your shirt'. I think that is a normal and natural reaction.

"Overall this guy is an example on the football pitch and shows you how to play football."

Wenger, however, feels Fabregas has the strength of character to silence the critics.

"People are more demanding, and Cesc has to live with that," the Arsenal manager said. "It is not easy, but he is a very intelligent man and he will learn very quickly to cope with that.

"Cesc is 24 this year, he has played 250 games in the Premier League - at that age, it is absolutely remarkable.

"He has gone through a lot, difficult moments, but has always come out stronger - this guy is a fantastic leader."

Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

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Labels: Association, backs, Fabregas, Press, underfire, Wenger

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By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 5:49 PM on 2nd February 2011

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has leaped to the defence of his under-fire skipper Cesc Fabregas, claiming he is a great captain and a role model for the younger players at the club.

The Spaniard has been criticised over his conduct by opponents in the Gunners' two most recent games against Everton and Huddersfield.

In the wrong: Cesc Fabregas (right) was furious that Everton's goal in Arsenal's 2-1 win was allowed to stand

But after a radio show brought the 23-year-old's captaincy into question, Wilshere backed Fabregas' role at the club.

He said on Twitter: 'Listening to talkSPORT and they questioning Cesc's captaincy, he is a brilliant leader and protects his team mates always,very passionate guy.'

Followed later by: 'Adrian and Darren, love the show but just to let you know Cesc is a great captain and helps me a lot. A great role model for all young players!'

Saviour: Fabregas came off the bench to score the winning goal from the penalty spot against Huddersfield

Toffees boss David Moyes said Fabregas deserved to be sent off after a rant at the referee and the fourth official in Arsenal's 2-1 win on Tuesday.

While Terriers defender Anthony Pilikington accused the midfielder of a four-letter rant at two of his team mates who wanted his shirt as a souvenir on Sunday.

Despite Moyes' accusations, the FA will take no further action after the referee for the Premier League clash Lee Mason did not include the supposed incident at half-time in his match report.

Agences de presses

Labels: Arsenalaposs, captaincy, Daily, defends, Fabregas, Wilshere

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Fabregas: Barca admiration

SKY SPORTS ON SKY
There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.Cesc Fabregas reckons Arsenal's Champions League win over Barcelona on Wednesday night is the greatest match he has played in.

Barca took the lead at the Emirates but the Gunners stunned the tournament favourites by snatching victory with two late goals.

Arsene Wenger's men will now take a 2-1 lead to the Camp Nou as they aim to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

And World Cup winner Fabregas believes Arsenal were worthy winners from a memorable clash of two sides famed for their attacking styles.

"It's a massive victory," said the Spanish midfielder. "It's the best game I've experienced in terms of quality and intensity.

"They had the ball, they went for it. We had the ball, we went for it.

"I've never experienced a game with so much quality on the pitch from both teams. Of course it was the right result."

Fabregas came through the Barca youth ranks before joining Arsenal at just 16 and reckons the current Barca side is the "best team in football history".

They won an unprecedented treble in 2009, claiming a third European crown, and Arsenal are eager to capture their first Champions League title after enjoying their first win over Barca in six attempts.

"We want to prove we can win a trophy like this one," Fabregas added. "There are 90 minutes to go and we're playing against a big team.

"If you want to beat them you have to give everything. We will have to give our hearts.

"The second leg will be very difficult. We have to perform very well. They will go out to win and we want to attack.

"You never know what can happen in this type of game."

While Fabregas admits there is plenty of work to be done to knock out Barca, he felt it was important to maintain the feel good factor at the Emirates.

"Winning last night is definitely uplifting," he said.

"We are in the final of the Carling Cup, we have an FA Cup match coming on Sunday and two Premier League games coming up before the second leg against Barcelona.

"I'm hoping this win will be good for the team because since the New Year we've only lost one game and we've won most of our games.

"At the moment we're on a good run and we want to keep it going."

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Shaun Wright-Phillips has accepted that he is likely to leave Man City at the end of the season.

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Cesc Fabregas reckons Arsenal's win over Barcelona on Wednesday is the greatest match he has played in.

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Labels: Barca, clash, Fabregas, hails, SkySports

Real Madrid : Fabregas, Valdano dément

«Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano".
Ces derniers jours, les médias espagnols et anglais n'ont cessé de relayer une offre de près de 65 millions d'euros du Real Madrid pour le Gunner Cesc Fabregas. Mensonge selon le directeur sportif du club madrilène, Jorge Valdano. «Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano dans des propos relayés par Sky Sports. Nous avons de bonnes relations avec Arsenal et nous ne voulons aucune mésentente.»      


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Labels: dment, Fabregas, Madrid, Valdano

{
Real Madrid : Fabregas, Valdano dément

«Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano".
Ces derniers jours, les médias espagnols et anglais n'ont cessé de relayer une offre de près de 65 millions d'euros du Real Madrid pour le Gunner Cesc Fabregas. Mensonge selon le directeur sportif du club madrilène, Jorge Valdano. «Nous avons aucune offre pour lui (ndlr : Fabregas) et nous avons pas parlé avec Arsenal non plus, assure Valdano dans des propos relayés par Sky Sports. Nous avons de bonnes relations avec Arsenal et nous ne voulons aucune mésentente.»      


Agences de presses

Labels: dment, Fabregas, Madrid, Valdano

The Toffees boss believes Spaniard should have been sent off at half -time.


Agences de presses

Labels: Arsenal, Comments, David, Everton, Fabregas, Goalcom, Manager, Midfielder, Moyes, Officials, Regarding, Slams