Cesc 'more dangerous' in new role

The Catalan has had to adapt to a formation change this season, with Arsene Wenger switching from a traditional 4-4-2 to a three-pronged attack, which has been implemented to liberate Arsenal’s skipper.

And Fabregas has revealed that although it is taking time to adapt, he believes he is now an even more dangerous weapon in his new position, a point underlined emphatically during Sunday's 6-2 romp against Blackburn Rovers with Fabregas scoring one goal and setting up four others.

NEWS: Cesc on fire in six goal show

“My preferred position is probably the one I am playing now. I feel most comfortable, but there is still a lot of work to do before it’s my best position," he said.

“When I started at Arsenal we played 4-4-2 and I came deep to get the ball.

"In my new position I am higher up the pitch and I don’t get the ball as much as I used to, but I’m in a part of the pitch where I can do dangerous things like play the final ball.”

The 22-year-old also described the day Wenger asked him to skipper the club as ‘very special’.

The Gunners' boss stripped William Gallas of the captaincy after a public attack on the team last November and handed the armband to Fabregas.

Reliving the moment when Wenger approached him about skippering the side the playmaker revealed:

“It was very special the day he came to me to talk about me being the captain of Arsenal.

“I will always remember this time because we spent 10 minutes not just talking about that, but also my personal life and how I was doing, like a father asks his son.

“I felt really privileged to be in that place at that moment. I will always remember it.”

Although the 2007/08 PFA Young Player of the Year insists the added responsibility has not changed him, he admits the time has come for him to step up a gear.

“As the captain you have to give more. Players like Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, Carles Puyol, Raul, Iker Casillas, they are always there in the important moments of the game,” said the Euro 2008 winner.

“I always try to give my best in every single game and training session. I always like to talk on the pitch.

“If there is something I see that is not right I try to talk to my team-mate and they talk to me. It’s all about talking on the pitch. It’s very important.”

NEWS: Fabregas - Arsenal must find ruthless streak
NEWS: Cesc hails Arshavin and Vermaelen
NEWS: Fabregas - Rosicky my best bud

NEWS: Cesc - Wenger is God
NEWS: Fabregas - Winning league would top the lot
INTERVIEW: Exclusive Cesc Q&A

THE CTR360 Maestri is the newest member of Nike's football boot family, built for control and engineered for giving and receiving passes and distribution. Visit

Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.