Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Proud Cesc looks to future

25 Nov 2008 - 08:14:29

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Cesc Fabregas has called on Arsenal to 'fulfil our potential' after being handed the captain's armband.

The 21-year-old Spaniard will lead the Gunners for the first time in Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Dynamo Kyiv at the Emirates Stadium after being handed the armband by Arsene Wenger on Monday.

Fabregas was given the nod after Wenger decided to strip William Gallas of the captaincy following the critical comments he made about his team-mates last week.

"It is a great honour for me to captain one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is a proud moment," said the former Barcelona youngster, who joined the Gunners in 2003.

"I know it is a big responsibility, but together with my team-mates, I know we have the spirit and commitment to get back to winning ways and fulfil our potential."

Meanwhile, Wenger has denied suggestions that he will look to offload Gallas in January following his costly verbal attack.

"I have a big respect for him," said Wenger. "William is a player and a man whom I rate.

"He was working as a captain in a very difficult media environment. He was under pressure from the press and at some stage you do not want this to affect him or the team.

"I cannot stop the suggestions, but for me he is a player who is committed to the club and can be stronger as a player because he took all of the problems of the team to his heart.

"It can be a new start for him and he can be stronger as a player.

"But now I think we have to close this subject and you have to respect somewhere a little bit the privacy of the team."