Fabregas stars in Gunners' win
Cesc Fabregas scored twice as Gunners ran out easy winners
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Tuesday, 08, Aug 2006 10:50
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas scored twice as Arsenal put in an accomplished second-half performance to beat Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 in the first leg of their Uefa Champions League qualifying tie.
The Spaniard's two goals were separated by a strike from fellow youngster Robin Van Persie and should guarantee the Gunners an easy night back at the Emirates Stadium in two weeks' time.
It was far from the stroll that the scoreline may suggest though and if Dinamo could have repeated their early defiance in the latter period of the game then Arsenal's lead might have been much more slender.
The hosts had several chances to open the scoring either side of half-time with Luka Modric and Jasmin Agicboth threatening Manuel Almunia's goal.
But with just over an hour gone Fabregas scored the vital away goal, latching onto a Van Persie lay-off and firing confidently past the advancing goalkeeper.
Van Perise broke clear to double the visitors advantage just a minute later and Fabregas' mazy run led to his second of the night and should seal his team's progress to the group stage.
Who didn't feature in the win will have been as important to Arsenal fans as who did, with Ashley Cole staying back in England and Jose Antonio Reyes strongly linked to a move to Real Madrid.
Arsene Wenger kept the Spanish forward consigned to the bench, preserving his eligibility to play for another team in this year's competition which is a vital factor in any potential move to the Bernabeu.