Cesc Fabregas... captain makes case for the defence
Fabregas - Defensive stability is the key
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By Declan Taylor
Cesc Fabregas believes greater defensive stability can be the key to Arsenal’s success this season.
Last year, Arsenal’s Goals Scored record was up there with the very best. Their 68 matched champions Manchester United and third-place Chelsea while only the Premier League’s topscorers Liverpool out-fired the Gunners.
However, at the other end, Arsenal trailed the rest of the Big four. They conceded 13 goals more than Man United and Chelsea and ten more than Liverpool. In fact, only one team in the top seven conceded more goals than Arsenal in 2008/09.
Speaking at a Q&A at Members’ Day on Tuesday, Fabregas suggested that a series of defensive injuries throughout the season ultimately cost the side. But the captain is confident that a fully fit squad will not have the same problem this term.
“Last year, because of a few injuries, we would see a different partnership in central defence every week,” said the Spaniard. “It might have been William, Johan, Kolo, whoever, we would have little [injury] problems which made the shape of the team always change a bit.
“I don’t think there is anything better in a team than a solid centre-back partnership. They know each other well, they play together every three days, they communicate well and understand each other.
“That is what happened with Manchester United. I think they won 10 games 1-0 because they played together regularly and that sometimes can make the difference.
“I think for the last three seasons we have been unlucky with injuries and hopefully this year we can all stay fit.”
[Monday, August 10, 2009]
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