Source: Team_Talk
Fabregas wary of Alkmaar threat
The Gunners head to DSB Stadium for their European tie in good form, having recorded successive victories to top Group H.
However, it could have been so different had Arsene Wenger's youngsters not recovered from a shocking opening to their last away game in Liege, where they trailed 2-0 inside the opening four minutes.
Yet having come through such a test of character at the compact Maurice Dufrasne Stadium, Fabregas maintains Arsenal will not be caught cold again.
"We have six points from two games in the group and if you think about the position we were in after just four minutes of our opening game, it shows how quickly football changes," the Spain international said.
"You must stay focused every day to be the best, because everyone else out there wants to be the best too.
"People expect the so-called smaller teams to be easy, but especially away from home those games are tough.
"They are usually fresher than the English or the Spanish teams because maybe their own league is not as intense."
Arsenal had to be patient in their last Champions League fixture, eventually breaking down a stubborn Olympiacos side with late goals from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin.
Fabregas, 22, believes keeping faith in their passing game is the only way to deal with such frustration and make sure of a positive result at the final whistle.
"Even if the chances were not going in, I was not worried because you could see the focus of the players," he said.
"Sometimes when things do not go so well for you, it can get into your head and you do not play your normal game.
"But against Olympiacos we carried on playing football, and kept it simple. As a result, eventually the goals came.
"There are so many players who can make the difference, and it has always been like that since I have been here.
"We have to keep doing that - be strong going forward while also defending as a team. We need the balance."
Holland international van Persie remains a keen follower of football in his homeland.
Alkmaar, now under the guidance of legendary Dutch defender Ronald Koeman, saw their hopes of a first win in the Champions League dashed following a stoppage-time equaliser by Standard Liege and are currently bottom of the group with just one point.
However, van Persie maintained: "AZ have lots of potential in their side - they really try to play football, they are not scared and they have a few good strikers there.
"I am convinced, though, if we give everything, close them down and play sharp, we will beat them."
Arsenal 8/15, Draw 3/1, AZ Alkmaar 11/2
