Fabregas admits Gunners were ‘scared’ in Old Trafford clash

CESC FABREGAS has admitted Arsenal were “scared” of losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford last Monday and that they fear defeat in major fixtures.

Arsenal lost 1-0 to a Park Ji-sung header to continue a dire run against United, who beat them home and away in the league last season.

Arsene Wenger’s side have also lost their last four league games against reigning champions Chelsea.

“They [United] were more aggressive than us,” Fabregas conceded. “They have the belief that comes from not losing at all [in the league] this season. That gives you a lot of help mentally.

“I’m realising more and more that football is all about confidence and mentality. Sometimes you do the right thing but, if people tell you it’s not right, you start believing it, even though you were right at first.

“I think the difference on the night was that we were scared of losing but they were not scared of winning. That was a big difference that played in our heads. Sometimes we seem scared of losing these big games — we don’t really go for it and we’re tempted to drop back and see what the opposition do.

“We look to see if we are capable of beating them by what they are doing and how good they are on the day, instead of us going forward, causing them problems and dominating the game ourselves.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted his side had been tense. “We looked a little nervous at Old Trafford. We put a bit too much pressure on our shoulders because we were so intent on winning a big game and as a result we didn’t turn up with the kind of performance we can produce.”