FABREGAS EYES DATE WITH DESTINY
6 April 2006Sportinglife
Cesc Fabregas is certain Arsenal's Champions League heroes have a date with destiny in Paris next month.
The Spain midfielder was an integral part of the Gunners team who secured a 2-0 aggregate victory over Juventus with a goalless draw in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Turin.
Arsenal will now play the tournament's surprise package Villarreal in the last four but 18-year-old Fabregas is already looking ahead to the final in the Stade de France on May 17.
"Of course, we will be in Paris," he said. "We've eliminated Ajax in the group stages, then Real Madrid and now Juventus.
"There's no stopping us now - we are capable of going all the way."
Fabregas has impressed ever since joining the Londoners from Barcelona's youth team in September 2003 but his performances in the last two rounds of the Champions League - against Madrid and Juve - have really stood out.
Indeed, alongside striker Thierry Henry, he was the inspiration behind the 2-0 first-leg victory over the Italians last week, a result which set Arsenal up perfectly for the return in Turin.
Fabregas had been a doubt before Wednesday night's clash with a foot injury he sustained against Aston Villa at the weekend but he was keen to prove his commitment to his side.
"I decided to play," he said. "I still felt some pain on the pitch but there was no way I was going to miss this game.
"You always want to play these type of encounters and you want to play until the end."
Fabregas believes the true heroes in Arsenal's outstanding European adventure are his team's young defenders, who have kept a Champions League record eight straight clean sheets this season.
"All credit has to go to them," he added. "They have not conceded a goal in eight games and this is easy to say but very difficult to achieve nowadays in football.
"We hope this will continue for the good of Arsenal but I truly think our defenders deserve 10 out of 10.
"They have been an inspiration to the rest of the team."
Fabregas was impressed with the way his fellow youngsters took to the big occasion against the Serie A leaders.
"There's always pressure when playing on the big scene," he said. "If you are younger, it can affect you more.
"But in my case, I always try to have fun on the pitch. At the end of the day, that's why I play football.
"It helps me to have team-mates like these. It makes the job easier."
Fabregas has had the added pressure this season of having to fill the boots of former captain Patrick Vieira, who left Arsenal to join Juve last summer.
"I don't like to be compared with Patrick Vieira," he said. "He's a very different player to me.
"I have been fortunate to train with him and play alongside him for a whole season and that is something I will never forget.
"I have learned a lot from him but I don't consider myself a similar player to him.
"Patrick is unique. Patrick will always be Patrick and I'm just trying to go my own way."
The Spaniard is looking forward to the semi-final against Villarreal who, like Arsenal, have never been this far in the competition.
"Villarreal have proved to everyone they are great team," said Fabregas.
"They seem to know what they are doing and they play football that fans enjoy.
"I think it's going to be a thrilling semi-final between two teams that play attacking football and have no fear."
Reaching the Champions League final could well earn Fabregas another prize - a call-up to the Spain squad for the World Cup finals.
He earned his first cap for his country earlier this year and he has one eye on making it to this summer's showpiece in Germany.
"My main priority right now is to help Arsenal finish fourth in the league," he continued.
"I also want to help my club reach the (Champions League) final and if that allows me to make my dream come true and play for Spain in the World Cup, it would be great.
"I know I have to take it one step at a time.
"I'm going through a great time right now and I want to take full advantage without thinking about other things that might affect my play.
"I always try to do well and I want to continue to improve game by game."
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