Cesc Fabregas lets his Arsenal team do talking on pitch

Following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Alan Ball, Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry would be daunting at any stage of a footballer's career. To do so while your team have been flirting with crisis and, according to your predecessor, lacked bravery, amounts to a genuine test of character.

Before Tuesday, Fabregas had only briefly captained Arsenal at the end of the Carling Cup final, though his experience in leading the Barcelona youth teams from the age of 11 to 16 was outlined in the matchday programme.

So what sort of captain will he become? Arsene Wenger gave a clue as to what he expects by telling his midfielder to focus on inspiring with deeds before words. "The best way to help your team as captain is to play well… play well yourself first of all, the rest will follow," the Arsenal manager said.

The early exchanges suggested Fabregas was determined to follow the advice, though his ultimate influence was only sporadic.

Fabregas admits that he will not be a "big shouter" and says he will try to lead by example. It would, therefore, seem that Arsenal supporters can expect a captain more in the mould of Thierry Henry than Tony Adams or John Terry.

Fabregas also hopes to take something from each of his three predecessors. "Patrick Vieira was a truly amazing captain," he said. "In the dressing-room he was always relaxed, making jokes, talking to the guys. On the pitch you always knew you could count on him to go into war with you.

"Thierry, well, what can you say about him? He was the best player in the world when he was here. I still speak to Thierry on the phone occasionally, too, and will ask him about it.

"As for William, I have a great respect for him. You can never doubt his commitment to the club. I know he will help me."

It is a role Wenger expects Fabregas to grow into. "I have never met someone who was a born leader. But I believe Cesc can develop it."

Wenger first approached Fabregas about the possibility of replacing Gallas on Sunday in the aftermath of the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City. "I told him that of course I would love it," Fabregas said. "I don't want to fail him, because he has given me everything in football. There are a lot of players in the dressing-room who can develop and help and we can do it together."

Gallas, who Wenger expects to have a "weight off him", has also now distanced himself from the possibility of leaving. "Since his bad-mood gesture against Birmingham last year, they [the media] have imagined his departure from Arsenal," his agent, Etienne Mendy, said. "It is fake. He has taken the critics and has turned the page. William is never better than when he has his back to the wall."

Yet for all the talk of a fresh start, it's only on the pitch that Arsenal can tackle the perception that they're a team in decline. This was simply an encouraging start.