Vieira my inspiration, insists fab Fabregas

CESC FABREGAS is already assured of his place in the Arsenal record books, but their youngest first-team player certainly has the credentials to become an all-time great.

Now 20, the Spaniard has grown in stature since making his bow in a League Cup tie against Rotherham at Highbury during October 2003. Little did the watching Gunners faithful know then that soon this combative youngster would be at the heartbeat of the side.

Taking on the mantle left by then captain Patrick Vieira when he departed for Juventus during the summer of 2005 was always going to be a tough challenge. It is, though, one which Fabregas has risen to with great gusto. And for him, there could be no better role model.