Source: Team_Talk
Vermaelen hails fantastic Fabregas
Fabregas was on the Emirates Stadium pitch for 28 minutes on Sunday as a substitute after recovering from a hamstring injury and he scored twice before being replaced by Aaron Ramsey.[LNB]Vermaelen said of Fabregas: "He was great. He had an injury and he did everything to make this game. He's a fantastic player.[LNB]"We didn't create as many chances and when he came on he gave us more opportunities to score," Vermaelen added after the Premier League match on Sky Sports 1.[LNB]Fabregas put Arsenal ahead with a free-kick after 65 minutes which he curled over the wall and out of the reach of Brad Friedel.[LNB]The Spaniard settled the contest with 10 minutes to go when he finished off a Gunners breakaway as he slotted the ball past Friedel after Theo Walcott had set him up from Armand Traore's long ball.[LNB]But the midfielder was withdrawn with six minutes left after appearing to pick up an injury as he scored his second goal.[LNB]Abou Diaby wrapped it up in injury-time when he ran at the Villa defence and curled a shot low into the corner from the edge of the area.[LNB]Vermaelen felt Arsenal deserved to win after being held by Villa in an even first half.[LNB]He said: "We had a good game and I think we deserved to win. It's a good result for us.[LNB]"Aston Villa became tired in the second half and you see the result. We defended well today as a team."[LNB]Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed Fabregas had a recurrence of his hamstring injury.[LNB]He added on Sky Sports: "It's a recurrence of his hamstring. We knew before the game it was not perfect.[LNB]"We will see if we have long regrets or short regrets. I don't believe it's too bad, he doesn't think it's too bad."[LNB]Wenger is hoping the injury is not too serious, with a scar on the injured tissue the best prognosis rather than a new pull to the hamstring.[LNB]He said: "If it's a pull again, it's three weeks (out) so we hope it is only a scar."[LNB]Wenger admitted he could not say whether the Gunners would have won without Fabregas.[LNB]"That's very difficult to predict. I believe we were dominant. I believe in the last 20 minutes we could have made the difference (to win the game)."[LNB]Wenger revealed he was considering signing a striker in the January transfer window because of Robin van Persie's ankle injury.[LNB]He said: "We are in the market with our eyes open. We are a bit short as we planned to play with Robin the whole season."[LNB][LNB]
