Cesc hails Arshavin and Vermaelen
442 Staff - Friday 02 October 2009, 15:14
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has hailed the impact made by Andrey Arshavin and Thomas Vermaelen.
Russian playmaker Arshavin has set the Premier League alight since arriving from Zenit St. Petersburg for £15 million on the final day of the January transfer window, bagging six goals and seven assists in his first 12 league appearances last season.
And Fabregas believes the addition of the pint sized genius - who has already scored three times this season - has provided Arsenal with another valuable weapon in the armoury.
“He has given another dimension to the team," said the former PFA Young Player of the Year.
"Last season when he joined you saw straight away what a great impact he made. We should feel lucky we have him in our team.
“We have a very good relationship. He is a special talent. It’s a shame he left the Russian league late.”
Fabregas also waxed lyrical about summer signing Vermaelen.
A relative unknown before being snapped up by Arsene Wenger from Ajax for £10 million, the Belgium international has distinguished himself as one of the stand out performers in the Premier League.
“I am a big fan. He has been playing so well. I think the fans clicked straight away with him,” he said.
“In his first game he scored a goal. He did amazing and his confidence is high at the moment.
“He is a very strong guy mentality. You can see he has been a captain before because he knows what the team needs.”
As well as his defensive qualities the centre-back has been praised for his composure on the ball – an attribute the Gunners' skipper was quick to applaud.
“He is really good with the ball. It’s like having another midfielder. To have a centre-back who can play with the ball on the ground, between the lines and past players, is really good for a player like me," he said.
"It gives you so much time and space on the ball."
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