Arsenal 6 Braga 0.
ARSENE Wenger feels Cesc Fabregas has taken his game to a new dimension after the Arsenal captain scored twice as the Gunners swept aside Champions League newcomers Braga 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal had chalked up 1,000 Premier League goals under Wenger in the 4-1 rout of Bolton on Saturday, and continued their fine form as the Portuguese debutants were taken apart.
Fabregas led the way, the Spain midfielder – now looking back to his best after a summer of speculation linking him with Barcelona – opening the scoring from the penalty spot and then heading in a second, with only some desperate defending denying him a hat-trick.
‘‘He has taken another dimension,’’ said the Arsenal boss. ‘‘People forget he is 23, where other players start.
‘‘Cesc has a fantastic influence.
What is important is that he leads the team to winning.
‘‘What I like is he gave the ball to Carlos Vela when he could have tried to score a third himself – that reflects the way we want to play the game and on a leader who does what the game wants, not being selfish.
‘‘He arrived here at the age of 16 and enjoys the way we play. Also it is a fantastic opportunity for the players playing alongside him – if you are 18, like Jack Wilshere, and you see Fabregas, it is a big opportunity to learn a lot.’’ Wenger continued: ‘‘It wasn’t easy for him in the summer, he was under a lot of pressure of course, but I never had any doubt that he loves the club and he wants to do well for us.
‘‘He’s a leader and he shows that in his attitude on and off the pitch.’’ A double from Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh made it 3-0 by halftime.
Arsenal – unbeaten in four Premier League games and two points behind leaders Chelsea – kept their foot on the accelerator with Fabregas heading in number four and substitute Carlos Vela chalking up a late brace.
While sterner tests will lie ahead for Wenger’s side, the young Gunners showed again this could just be the season they finally come of age.
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