Wenger heaps praise on dynamic Fabregas

ARSENE WENGER usually serves praise with a teaspoon rather than a ladle, so his heartfelt eulogy to Francesc Fabregas in the aftermath of the teenager’s superlative performance against Liverpool yesterday was as startling as it was justified

“I have seen a lot of young players start in the game and he is one of the best I have ever seen,” he purred. “He gave a few final balls, set up the first goal and there were a series of key moments in which he was involved. It is very pleasing.”

In seasons to come, Fabregas may come to view this week as the moment he arrived as an Arsenal player. The Spaniard was immense in his team’s two vibrant Champions League performances against Real Madrid, rubbing the stardust off the galacticos, but his display against the European champions yesterday marked another vital stage in his development.

For too long, Fabregas has been looked upon as too flaky and fragile for the hurly-burly Premiership: a ballerina attempting to pirouette through a clog-dance. Yesterday he delivered a performance which suggests he has finally shrugged off the inadequacies of youth. It was not just Fabregas’ technique which took the breath away. His casual elegance has been admired ever since he first took to the pitch in north London, although even by his standards the ball which he delivered to Thierry Henry for Arsenal’s first goal - a delayed, slide-rule pass which evaded the flailing boot of Jamie Carragher by an inch - was stunning.

It was a moment which proved Fabregas’ ability as an artist, but for the rest of the game he appeared intent on demonstrating his appetite for sheer hard graft. The teenager was a snapping, snarling presence at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield and it is to his credit that Steven Gerrard - a player used to centre-stage - was reduced to the part of a clown in the final minutes.

The Frenchman was spared any questions about whether his protégée could prove himself as the replacement for Patrick Vieira, but on this occasion no words were needed. There is no question that Arsenal have sorely missed the Senegalese since his departure to Juventus, as much for his stature and presence as his ability, but perhaps Wenger should pause before frittering away vast sums on a replacement.

Fabregas will never be Vieira - for all his physical maturation, the youngster should still be considered a canny ball-player rather than an enforcer - but he could yet provide the stability Arsenal so desperately need in front of their tentative back four.

He spent much of the afternoon yesterday patrolling the space between the edge of the penalty area and the centre-circle, scooping up loose balls and giving Arsenal a platform from which to mount their lightning breaks.

It was hard to tell who was more appreciative: Henry for finally finding a player who can operate on his wavelength, or Philippe Senderos, the Swiss defender who all too often treats the ball as if it were a hand-grenade with the pin pulled out.

Arsenal’s hopes of a top-four finish were given credence by their victory yesterday, but thoughts are already turning to a more imminent date with destiny. Vieira’s Juventus visit Highbury on March 28 for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. He will arrive to find his old club in buoyant spirits and his former understudy ready to accept a leading role.