Arsenal 1 - 0 Dynamo Kyiv
Arsene Wenger - “Cesc was very good for me. Focused for 90 minutes in the game, worked hard defensively and offensively.”
Cesc Fabregas marked his first match as Arsenal captain by setting up Nicklas Bendtner for the game winning goal. He made a superb long pass which Bendtner fired home with only 3 minutes remaining to make it one-nil to the Arsenal. This secures Arsenal’s place in the final 16 of the Champions League. Full match report here.
75+ pictures are in the photos section.
You can watch a video of match highlights from Cesc’s debut as captain here and thanks to MiLa we have Cesc’s post-match interview below
Cesc Fabregas spoke to ATVO after the game. Here’s what he said about the up-coming match against Chelsea and the teams aims for the season saying,
“The aim is to lift a trophy. We are in the last 16 of the Champions League and are in contention in every competition. We have played only 14 league games this season and it is not over yet. Nothing is done and we will fight until the end.
“Our target is to go there and win, because we could get some points back. The other teams at the top have some difficult games as well, so we will see.”
“We have to play as a team and when we play good and quick passing, we can play against anybody and win,” he said.
“Arsenal never go for a draw, we always go for a win and I am sure a club like Chelsea will do the same as well because every time I have played against them they have always gone forwards, to go for the victory.”
He also said he was determined to keep his feet on the ground:
“It was a normal game for me and I don’t really think about it. I am committed to the game and I do not realise if I am wearing the armband or not. I just to try to play for Arsenal and my team-mates and give my best.”
On the inspiring Tony Adams and the title race -
“From what people say he was amazing, I never really saw him play because I was too young but from what people say he was amazing and everybody says amazing things about him.
“Hopefully one day - not so much be like him, because I like to be my own player and person - but of course I want to achieve the things that he achieved.
“I want to lift a trophy. At the end of the season we will see what we can achieve. At the moment we are in all of the competitions, people can say whatever they want about the title race but we have only played 14 games. It is not over yet and it is up to us to finish where we will finish. We will see, at the moment nothing is done and we will fight until the end.”
On the differences between the Champions League and the Premier League -
“Europe is a different game to the Premier League,” he said. “All the teams in the Premier League know they have to defend a lot. They are pressuring us all the time and it looks like all week they just train on defending.
“The Champions League is different, teams try to play a bit more, try to come out a bit more. Maybe it’s true that Europe suits us a little bit more but if you want to win something, you have to be able to play against anybody.”
On the match against Dynamo Kiev -
“After what I saw we are back on track, it was a win, we kept a clean sheet, we created chances, we had a lot of injuries and we responded well. We showed we were united.
“At the end of the season, we will see what we can achieve but at the moment we are in every competition. “People can say whatever they want about the title race but we have only played 14 games.
“Whatever has happened with William [Gallas] is in the past. William has been superb for us. He showed he is a great professional. I have learnt a lot from him and I know, if I need to, I can always go to him. I felt relaxed. I thought I played one of my best games of the season.”
Arsene Wenger said after the match, “He [Cesc] was very good for me. Focused for 90 minutes in the game, worked hard defensively and offensively.
“It was not easy in midfield because they closed us down very well. I expected them to drop a little bit in the second half, but they didn’t and overall I think Cesc had a very good game”
“It was a great goal. It is not handball. Watch it on the replay. He did not take it with his arm like they complained. A fantastic ball first from Fabregas, good control and a fine finish. I’m very happy for Bendtner. He was a bit disturbed recently with a lack of confidence, but that will help give him the needed confidence.”
Arsene added on the captaincy, The best way to help your team as captain is to play well yourself, then the rest follows. I have never met someone who was a born leader. But I believe Cesc can develop it.”
Here are Cesc’s comments, writing for the first time as captain, in the programme notes -
“It is certainly one of the best things that has happened to me in my career
“It will make me keep my feet on the floor more than ever because I know I have a big responsibility, and I want to use it well.
“I want to keep things normal and do everything I can with my team-mates because the next few months will be very important for us.”
Cesc revealed he would be looking to get some sound advice from two of the club’s legends in Henry, now at Barcelona, and former midfield enforcer Vieira, currently at Inter Milan.
“I am lucky enough to have played under three great captains since I joined Arsenal and I would definitely like to take things from each of them
“Patrick Vieira was a truly amazing captain. He led by example, in the dressing room he was always relaxed, making jokes, talking to the guys - he was one of us. He never said too much before the games, but on the pitch you always knew you could count on him to go to war with you.
“Thierry was the best player in the world when he was here and was definitely a guy you knew would always be there at the decisive moment.
“I still speak to Thierry on the phone occasionally and will ask him about him. I have lost touch with Patrick a bit, but I would love to speak to him too about the job because he has so much experience.”
Fabregas also paid tribute to Gallas, whom Wenger felt had reacted to intense media scrutiny.
“I have a great respect for William,” he said. “A lot of people from the outside have been very unfair with him because he is a great guy, a great professional and he always tries to do everything to help this club.
“You can never doubt his commitment to the club. It has been spot on since the first day and he has been a big, big player for us.”
Fabregas, who joined Arsenal as a youngster having come through the Barcelona youth ranks, intends to repay the faith of his manager.
“The boss told me on Sunday that I was a candidate for the job, and asked what I thought. I told him that of course I would love it
“I am sure it would be a great experience for me and I do not want to fail him, because he has given me everything in football.”
Cesc also added that he would not be changing his style or approach to things
“I am not a big shouter and to be honest I will not change my playing style now that I am captain.
“I will try to lead by example first of all which I have always tried to do that on the pitch, anyway - armband or no armband. Away from the pitch, I will try to be normal, be myself, and with the help of everyone else at the club, I’m sure we can get through this bad period and have a fresh new start this season.
“I can guarantee that I will do all that I can to help this club go as far as it can.”
Cesc also mentioned that he is not completely new to the captain’s role -
I have only captained Arsenal once before, for about two minutes at the end of the Carling Cup final, but before I came here I was always the captain at Barcelona for the youth teams, from about the age of 11 to 16. Also for the national team at Under-17 level I was captain as well. Of course, it’s not the same as being captain of Arsenal, but I am not totally new to it.
ATVO quotes came from The Guardian, The Times and Arsenal.com. The programme notes came from Teamtalk, The Independent and The Guardian.
Great pass re-start freekick whatever ya call it from captain fantastic!! haha maybe a tiny bit sneaky but within the rules and that’s all that counts!! A captains performance! We played with a bit more intensity I thought. Do you think Gallas cleared rvp’s shot by accident as they are saying or on purpose? I mean of all the players under all the circumstances gotta say looks suss. Anyhoo happy to have a win I’ll take it!!!
I have no finger nails left but a win is a win is a win!!! Great to get qualification done and dusted now onwards and upwards chelski here we come!
That’s better! Still a lot of room for improvement but definitely heading in the right direction and we’ll take a win and qualification. Cesc was brilliant tonight, great game from him the armband suits him
I knew bendy couldn’t be wearing those pink boots for nothing. Glad he got that goal makes up for him failing to get on to that cross from rvp/ I still want Denilson sent to the reserves sorry, nothing will change my mind. The gulf in class between Cesc and Denilson is massive.
edited at bri’s request
I don’t think it was suss bri I think it was just the sort of thing that happens… of course the timing is bad… but Gallas was working hard even though he also made a bit of a cock-up in the first half as well, when he lost possession and they almost scored, still I don’t think his mistakes were deliberate. He was screwing up when he still had the armband.
Great assist from our captain and nice control from Bendtner for the goal!
Also Gallas did score even though it was disallowed for off-side. So I don’t think anything should be read into his mistakes.
I’m so happy we won!! And it’s a nice bonus that Captain Cesc had a hand in our late goal. Cesc was absolutely fantastic tonight!
Have to agree with you Bri it was time for the pink boots to live up to their color!!
Yay!!Through to the next stage. And that was a definite improvement!!! And well done Nik. I’ve had doubts about him recently, but well done on that goal. Loving the boots.lol.
No. I don’t think Gallas did that on purpose. I really don’t. His reaction afterwards kind of showed that he didn’t mean to do that. Tbh, I thought, on the pitch, Gallas handled the whole captaincy thing (losing it) remarkably well.He wasn’t vocal, but he didn;t look like he was having a hissy fit so props to him.
Vela. He was brilliant with some of his work. Such a bright prospect for the future. ^^
And congrats to captain fabby. That was a great pass to bendtner. A lot of his passes tonight were brilliant. And his interview after. They asked him how it felt having the captaincy armband, and he was smiling and started talking about the team. XD
Almunia- he did brilliantly with that one serious threat.
And the fans at the stadium were amazing. I have not heard them sing so loud in ages. I’m so proud of them. They were brilliant in getting behind the team. And I don’t think I heard any booing when Gallas got the ball, so props to them too.
Denilson still makes me cringe. He did better today than against man city, but I swear he falls over every 5 minutes….yeah…i’ve got to stop being negative….
We won!!!!!!!!
There are tonnes of photos I’m dying here … I need help … need help!!
roflol I’ll help mj lol sorry I was just looking for the video of his post-match interview
Priya I agree with you on Gallas. I was also glad the fans were supportive and didn’t boo as I really think booing your own players is like stupidity to the max. And Manny did make a great save!!
I really believe things are going to get better now!
OK OK OK I guess I watched one too many whodunnit! lol I will give Billy the benefit of the doubt. He did actually put in a decent shift even though he made a couple gaffes.
Lots of match photos? I like the sound of that. No pressure but hurry it up
Looool. cesc has his captain armband upside down. ^^ Bless him.
hmmm…on further inspection (yes, i’m really sad) the armband was the right way round in the first half, but then he came on in the second half with it the wrong way round……bit of a pointless comment but thought I’d comment again anyway…..
good win el capitan and smart thinking to get that pass in quick!!
Good to be in 16!! hahaha was soooooo cutie that Cescy wear his armband upside down!! Mebbe is luck for him!!
hi priya
Yes I noticed that about the armband when I was doing the photos and he also had it down around his elbow in the first half roflol hahaha it is SO cesc lolol I don’t why it makes me laugh so hard - but it does 
but still the armband suits him very well even upside down
thanks for doing the match photos!
I think after our last two games that I’m just mostly relieved that we won, that we created some chances and we looked like we were playing with a bit more spirit and I think you have to give the new captain a lot of credit for that. He played really well, he was everywhere for us definitely motm
Yeah, we won!!! I love Captain Cesc!
Here’s some more from Arsene on the win:
I agree I think this was really important to the team’s confidence!
Also Arsene said Ade, Bacary and Samir are 50/50 for Chelsea so fingers crossed.
I’m happy
It’s so nice to be a happy gooner instead of a miserable gooner lol
Congratulations Cesc on your debut as Arsenal captain!!! and for being man-of-the-match! Awesome!!
that ball for Bendtner was AAAMMMMAAAAZZZZZZZZIIIIINNNNGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!
he is the best player in the world to me. Gives me chills so so so good!!!!
Most of the photos are done but there will be a lot more tomorrow I’m sure!
I was so proud of Cesc! He had an excellent match. He gave a great performance, made some great plays especially obviously the one that set up the goal and he worked his arse off!!
Obviously he loves being captain. When they showed him leading the team out I almost had tears in my eyes! I was so happy Arsenal won. It was a very anxious game but we got their in the end.
I guess I was wrong about the pressure lol he is made of tough stuff lol he looks like he will handle it just fine
I’m so proud of Captain Cesc. He give captain performance the armband is look very very well on him!! Even upside down jaja!! He inspiration!!
I can’t imagine what it feels like to walk out with all the cameras pointing at you, with a crowds of fans waiting to see how you will do in your first outing as captain. Knowing a media is waiting to pronounce judgment on you. Knowing that at least one of your team-mates has some “feelings” regarding the captaincy change to deal with. Knowing your team is in “crisis” according to some and that you need to win and qualify for Europe. I have a feeling, I’d probably slip out of the back-door and head for the nearest pub. That is why I am not captain material.
Skipper Fab did not skip out! He put in a skipper’s shift. He was immense! He did very well for such a young man and perhaps part of the reason was that he looked just the same. He behaved just the same. When a team-mate was down he went and stood beside them as he has done in countless matches. He questioned the ref as he has done in countless matches. It was just Cesc. Only now their is a strip of yellow around his arm but he has been our captain for quite some time now so it was a change but in some ways no change at all.
El Capitán was magnifico!! Great to be thru and top of our group now I hope we can get some re-enforcemints in Jan before we start the knock-out phase.
Captain Cesc was superb last nite!!
he’s everywhere on da pitch right from da beginning till da end..
he shown leadership quality on da pitch but he’s rather quiet though; he need to speak up more.. hehe..
when he first came out of da tunnel; leading da Gunners wif da armband around him, i almost cried.. at dat instant; i was proud of Cesc (i was proud of him all along but yesterday was a notch higher compared to normal matches).. ** sob sob **
da pass he made to Bendtner was sublime & no-one can do it better than da Captain himself..
Go Gunners!! GO Captain Cesc!!
congrats capi cesc!!! man of match and best captain!!!
i love him even more
Tremendous! Really a great start to his captaincy! He was the best player for Arsenal and led by example, no shouting and arm-waving! just lots of hard-work and class passing! We still have some off the ball movement issues but Vela worked hard in this respect as did Ramsay, they didn’t always get it right but they gave Cesc more options just by virtue of being prepared to make more runs and try! I think they should be rewarded with more minutes.
Anyway congrats to our new captain on a good start!
Thanks for adding Fred’s highlights Sambo
I am working on Cesc’s interview now. Unfortunately Skysport have done something weird to Cesc’s clip - it’s only 3 seconds long and doesn’t include Cesc actually speaking - not such a great interview as post-match interviews go lol I have the ITV one though so I’ll put it up once I’ve encoded it.
BTW I know Denilson has his faults but I think he really was trying his heart out yesterday, you can’t fault him for effort.
Nice post DC Wash!
hei guys!!
i chanced upon tis clip of Captain Cesc’s interview after da Champions League match..
he looks so cute!! hehehe..
here is da link i fu wanna weatch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcoPgaYihhE
Thanks MiLa! We appreciate it as we looked on youtube but we didn’t see this!
I didn’t post much last nite cos there were a few beers with my name on waiting - but I wanted to say that Cesc played really well and I was very impressed by young Jack. I think he looks like a real talent. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get some more time but I know Wenger is keeping him wrapped in cotton wool but then some players are ready young, just look at Cesc!
Bri - it’s called a drop ball rather than a freekick because it was a continuation of play methinks.
u’re welcome Sam!!
and guess wat?? i found another clip of Cesc’s interview @ SkySports.. i’m not sure whether can u guys view it but well; here’s da link if u wanna see it : http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,12602_4550271,00.html?ssvTab=1&ssvSelectedTab=12599&ssvBasket=12602&ssvPage=1
happy watching!!
Im so proud of Capain Cesc he was excellent last night he played
like a world class player.
The whole of the team played well tonight under captain Fabregas.
We have to play the next game the same and beat Chelsea good luck.
Come on you reds……..
Thanks Mila
the skysport link that we posted earlier links to the page with the video it’s just before the video was broken but now it works, like Rose said for some strange reason it was only a 3 second clip but now it’s 3 minutes… which is more like it!
Thanks for the other clip too the more the better!!
no problem MJ!!
as long as it’s about Captain Cesc; i’m willing to share wif all of u!! hehehe..
Wow, have to say Captain Fábregas was commanding in his first performance as Captain….The boys including Clichy, and the eek, pink booted Bendtner (much to my surprise,but,he’s still young) looked good….now, forward to Chelsea, the true test of our new Captain - who has had less than “ideal” confrontations with the ‘rich boys’ from London….the question is can “he” keep his head in such a undoubtedly high intensity match…I hope so, I think so , I pray we’re talking about a spectacular Arsenal victory on the weekend and not the “meltdown” of the ‘new’ Arsenal…hmm, this post is a tad ‘negative’ oops….Err, one nil to the Arsenal (wink,wink,nudge,nudge)…cheers ;D
Thanks MiLa
we really appreciate the help you give us by finding stuff!
Robbie ummm? why is Chelsea the true test of our new captain? It’s a match 11 against 11? Remember it’s captain not wizard lol Cesc will do just fine. Did you watch the last Arsenal/Chelsea match? Cesc didn’t get so much as a yellow. I wouldn’t worry about him losing his head. Let’s just hope he has another great game.
It will be a difficult match, we will have to wait to see who we get back from injury. I think it will be close either way and the result is unlikely to be spectacular or a meltdown, regardless of what the media say.
Also what exactly is the ‘new’ Arsenal lol looks like the same team to me
MJ thanks for all the great pics and the interview is great thanks mila… he’s such a down-to-earth chap
congratttssssss on a winning beginning Captain Fabulous hope you lead the team to many more!! =)
awwwww! such a sweet interview thank you!
Thanks mila! Rose is going to add the ITV and skysports clips together now - she had a lot of trouble with the ITV one because it was a weird file with a strange codec for compression and it took forever to encode but shes nearly done
Another Cesc quote that came via Arsenal.com
“It was a normal game for me and I don’t really think about it. I am committed to the game and I do not realise if I am wearing the armband or not.
“I just to try to play for Arsenal and my team-mates and give my best.”
Maybe the not thinking about it part is why he ended up with the armband upside down and almost down around his knees?
Thanks TA
I’ll add to all the others. He sure did do a lot of press 
Thanks MiLa, it took me ages to add the ITV interview because I had a problem with my TV rip but I’ve added it and the skysport clip above now
dun mention it guys!!
i’m happy dat i can help in any ways to tis webby!!
Great win and great game from our new capi!!
fabregas I love you:) the best captain:)that’s better:)