Fabregas: Arsenal must find ruthless streak
442 Staff - Friday 02 October 2009, 14:45
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has told his team-mates to find their ruthless streak ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Blackburn Rovers.
The Gunners have often struggled to combat the physical tactics employed by teams in the north west of England.
But Fabregas believes they can claim a sixth successive win if they’re patient and take their chances.
“Against teams like Blackburn you know you need to be more patient because you might not touch the ball that much because they mark you very tight, it’s always difficult,” said the 22-year-old.
“You know will get a chance and therefore you have to take that chance. When you play against Champions League teams, like Manchester United, it’s more of a passing game, both teams try to play football and score goals. There’s more space and more time.”
And the Spanish international believes Arsenal will need all their technical brilliance to find time and space in the mad traffic of a congested midfield.
“Touch and control is vital because when you play against teams like Blackburn they put a lot of pressure on you especially in midfield,” said the Catalan.
“They know if they let us play we can be dangerous. It’s very difficult to play against them because they are always on you quickly and tight.
"If your touch and control is not good enough you lose the ball.”
After hosting Blackburn, Arsenal welcome Birmingham to north London, followed by a trip to Holland to take on Ronald Koeman’s AZ Alkmaar in the Champions League – a game Fabregas expects to be a test.
“We know they play good football and have a great coach. It will be a tough game,” he said.
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