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Wenger expects "experienced" Fabregas to lead by example

29/11/2008

Arsene Wenger expects Cesc Fabregas to lead by example ahead of his first Premier League game as Arsenal's permanent captain.

Fabregas will have the tricky task of marshalling his players against top of the table Chelsea but Wenger thinks the 21-year-old will show poise beyond his years.

Having given the Spaniard his debut at 16, Wenger says Fabregas now has the experience of a 26-year-old.

Fabregas will be going up against a formidable Blues midfield and Wenger says it is important that Fabregas does his job on the pitch first and foremost before worrying about the rest of the Gunners team.

"I think first you want him to do his job well and not to be too worried about the rest, and that is the best way to be a captain basically," said Wenger.

"Play your game well, lead by example, and the rest comes along because I believe that he has experience already, he has [nearly] 250 games for the club.

"Basically he is 26 instead of being 21 because a player normally at 26, 27 years of age, he has 250 games for his club. That's why I believe, with the rest, he should just behave like he is used to."

A run of three defeats in their last four league games has seen Arsenal slip out of the top four.

However, the game at Stamford Bridge could provide an unlikely turning point for them as they have had some success there in the past.

The Blues had to come from behind with two late Didier Drogba goals to win last season's match and before that Chelsea had only won one of their last 11 home games against the Gunners.