Reliant Robin drives Fab Arsenal on

THE TASK of the leader, according to Henry Kissinger, is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been; and that is exactly what Cesc Fabregas is being tipped to do after he shrugged off a debate about his captaincy to help Arsenal continue their increasingly convincing — and long overdue — title challenge on Saturday.

Ably supported by Robin van Persie, who bagged a hat-trick and also missed a penalty, the victory over Wigan left Arsene Wenger’s side in second place in the Premier League, only two points adrift of leaders Manchester United.

Wenger hailed the importance of the rejuvenated Van Persie.

“Robin is an important player in our squad. He can finish, provide and the understanding with our offensive players is very good so of course, he will be very important,” Wenger said.

“Some players have played many games, but Van Persie has been out for a long time. Him and Fabregas had a long breather and we hope he can benefit from that.’’

While Van Persie looks the part again, it was Fabregas’s mesmerising performance, at the end of a week in which quotes from team-mate Denilson sparked a discussion over whether he is a natural leader, that gave Arsenal fans encouragement a long wait for silverware could soon be over.

How interesting that the Spaniard, despite his prodigious talent, has not yet been able to persuade many pundits that he has the stature or aura to captain at the highest level, because his performance here suggested he has been harshly judged.

Part of the problem, perhaps, is that Arsenal captains of the past have been made from a rather more earthy mould than Fabregas; physically imposing alpha males such as Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira.

It’s a stereotype of captaincy that goes down well with the English public, too; thunderous barrel-chested centre-halves with the bulldog spirit and tattoos to match.

Yet Wenger has recognised that in the way he has nurtured Fabregas into a leadership role at the age of 23.

“It’s his character that makes him right for the job,” said the Frenchman. “He is strong mentally, he is intelligent and understands things very quickly. Also he has a huge desire to win — this guy is ready to die to win. You know when a guy turns up at 16 or 17 on the pitch and everybody gives him the ball that means he has some natural charisma.

“What people forget is he is 23 years old. What he does on the pitch and as a leader already at that age is absolutely fantastic.”

Whether Fabregas’ personal leadership was important in Arsenal’s convincing victory over Wigan is hard to judge, although there was an insightful moment when the young midfielder quietly consoled and cajoled Van Persie — four years his elder — after he fired a second-half penalty over the bar.

But what he certainly did was lead by example in terms of his performance.

Having suffered hamstring problems earlier in the season Fabregas has not yet stamped his authority on the campaign but on Saturday he was back to his very best; conjuring the football from one side of the pitch to the other, always on the move and always looking to create.

Even Wenger admitted the midfielder’s stunning crossfield pass that set up Van Persie’s second goal, which was half-volleyed home as the ball fell tantalisingly at his feet, left him lost in admiration; “I could watch it again and again,” he said.

Arsenal went ahead when Song, stealing Fabregas’s thunder for once, produced an outstanding through-ball for Van Persie to lash home left-footed after 21 minutes and, after Al Habsi had made six fantastic saves, the points were clinched in the 58th minute as the same player made it 2-0.

There was time for Van Persie to miss a penalty — won inevitably by Fabregas and resulting in Gary Caldwell being sent off in the 69th minute; but the Dutchman eventually completed his first ever hat-trick for Arsenal by firing home after Theo Walcott had expertly held up a long pass from his captain. It’s encouraging days, then, for Arsenal and their captain. They may not have got there just yet, but the Promised Land appears to be nearer than ever.