Gunners were fired up by critics’ claims, says star Fabregas

CESC FABREGAS maintains the critics who wrote off Arsenal’s Barclays Premier League title challenge before a ball had even been kicked “fired us up” for the campaign.

The Gunners will look to put a terrible week behind them when top-six hopefuls Aston Villa come to Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal are three points clear of Manchester United at the top, while their Champions League tie against AC Milan is delicately poised after a goalless first leg.

Many pundits had predicted Arsene Wenger’s young Gunners would struggle in the wake of last summer’s departure of captain Thierry Henry. Fabregas, though, believes the squad used that negativity as motivation:

“People were taking us out of the top four at the start of the season. We wanted to show everyone what we could do. It fired us up.”

“Now every morning when we come into training you feel ready to fight for the title, and that is why I really love being a footballer.”

Arsenal could see their attacking options boosted next month by the return to fitness of Dutch forward Robin van Persie. He could be included for next week’s trip to Milan. Another player hoping to make his return at the San Siro is defender Kolo Toure. The centre-half suffered a calf injury against the Italians at Emirates Stadium on February 20.

Meanwhile PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has written to Arsenal striker Eduardo and Birmingham defender Martin Taylor offering messages of support after their ill-fated clash at St Andrews on Saturday. Taylor said: “I have written to Martin. He has shown remorse and he went to see the lad in hospital. He is a good lad and I know how badly he feels about it.

“I have also written to Eduardo and it is a tragedy for him, his club and his country and he is going to miss out on playing in the Euro 2008 finals.

“ You feel sorry for both parties.”