Fabregas takes blame for Arsenal defeat
Reuters - Wednesday 09 March 2011, 06:47
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas
has taken the blame for his side's 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the
Champions League on Tuesday, describing the last 16 second leg
defeat as one of the worst moments of his life.
The 23-year-old's misplaced backheel in stoppage time at the
end of the first half led to Barcelona's opening goal and
Fabregas failed to lift his game in the second as the Spanish
champions dominated to win 4-3 on aggregate .
"Great support from the Arsenal fans. I take full blame for
the result tonight," Fabregas wrote on his Twitter page. "One of the worst moments of my
life. I apologise."
Fabregas struggled on his return to the side following a
hamstring injury as Barcelona's midfield trio of Xavi, Andres
Iniesta and Javier Mascherano controlled the match with their
intricate passing, leaving Arsenal chasing shadows.
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Arsenal equalised when Sergio Busquets deflected a corner
into his own net in the 53rd minute but the dismissal of striker
Robin van Persie three minutes later resulted in
wave after wave of Barca attacks with Lionel Messi and Xavi
making the game safe.
Fabregas's team-mate Jack Wilshere also used the social
network site to thank the Arsenal fans and congratulate
Barcelona on victory.
"Arsenal fans great as always! Sorry about the result, good
luck to Barca, great team! Oh yeah and the ref was good as
well...," the English teenager wrote on his Twitter page.