Captain Cesc Fabregas produced an outstanding individual performance as Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a stylish 6-0 rout of Braga yesterday.
Captain Cesc Fabregas produced an outstanding individual performance as Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a stylish 6-0 rout of Braga yesterday.
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| Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas controls the ball against Braga during their UEFA Champions League Group H match at The Emirates Stadium in London last night |
The Spain midfielder, who had been blocked from moving to Barcelona in the summer, scored two goals himself. Russia international Andrey Arshavin, Morocco forward Marouane Chamakh and substitute Carlos Vela, the Mexico international, grabbed a brace as Arsene Wenger's men cruised to the top of Group H.
Wenger had been critical beforehand of the circumstances that had forced Abou Diaby, the France midfield player, out of the game.
Diaby had been hurt in the 4-1 Premier League victory over Bolton Wanderers at the weekend by a challenge Wenger believed should be punished retrospectively using video evidence, which would require a change of Premier League rules.
Diaby was replaced in the starting line-up by France international Samir Nasri, who returned for the first time since knee surgery last month.
Arsenal might have had a penalty in the opening minutes when Paulo Cesar's clumsy challenge just inside the box sent Fabregas tumbling.
