Milan vs Arsenal

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Cesc Fabregas says Arsenal must win at Chelsea to stay in Premier League title race

"All the teams in the Premier League know they have to defend a lot," said Fabregas. "They are pressuring us all the time and it looks like all week they just train on defending."

Arsenal are fifth, 10 points adrift of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, and the club's new captain says that victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday is also now necessary to get back into the title race. "We want to get back into the title race so we have to win," said Fabregas.

"Let's stay relaxed and play our football and I am sure we will be OK if we do what we do. We respect Chelsea but we go with confidence. Our target is to go to Chelsea and win. Arsenal never go anywhere for a draw."

As an Arsenal captain, Fabregas hopes to emulate some of Tony Adams' success and has already set a target of winning at least one trophy this season.

"From what people say he [Adams] was amazing. I want to be my own player and my own person. But hopefully one day I can achieve some of the things he achieved."

After qualifying for the knockout phase of the Champions League with their 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday, there is a realisation that their attacking approach could be more effective against European competition.

"Europe is a different game to the Premier League," said Fabregas. "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. We have to play as a team and when we play good, quick passing, we can play against anybody."

After the drama of the past week, Fabregas hopes that the victory over Kiev can represent a turning point in an unpredictable season that has seen Arsenal already lose five of their 14 Premier League matches.

"After what I saw we are back on track," he said. "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," he said. "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."

Cesc Fabregas sets sights on Premier League title

Cesc Fabregas has insisted Arsenal are still in the Premier League title race despite their torrid start to the season.

The new Arsenal captain takes his team to Chelsea on Sunday with the club having lost five games in the league and only a week after Arsene Wenger's stripped William Gallas of the captaincy following criticism of his team-mates.

Arsenal are ten points behind Chelsea, but Fabregas is adamant they can still challenge for the title. "The aim is to lift a trophy," he said. "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."

Fabregas added that Arsenal have the ability to beat any side on their day. "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."(times)

Welcome Back Fabregas

Wenger turned to Fabregas following William Gallas' public attack on the character of his team-mates and insisted that he had always regarded the 21-year-old as a potential captain.

However, when asked if the decision would make it easier to keep the Spaniard at the club, Wenger said: "I don't know, frankly. When you make that decision you don't think about that. It's a very young side and you need a player who is nearly sure to play every game."

Fabregas has been regularly linked with both Real Madrid and his former club Barcelona, but has a contract at Arsenal that runs until 2014.

"I don't know [if the captaincy will increase his commitment] but I never put in doubt his commitment to the club, that was one of the reasons," said Wenger. "It's important you are the voice of the club to the outside and your commitment is not questioned."

Fabregas said that he was "proud" to be made Arsenal captain. "I know it's 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," he said.

Although stripped of the captaincy, Gallas trained as normal on Monday and will start Tuesday night's Champions League match against Dynamo Kiev that could guarantee Arsenal's place in the knockout phase. "William is a player I rate and a man I rate as well," said Wenger. "He's a fantastic player and I just felt the pressure on him was big and not justified.

"I have a big respect for him. He was working as a captain. I feel the media was out for Gallas and it became increasingly difficult. At some stage, you do not want this high pressure to affect him or the team.

"He is committed to the club. He took to heart all the problems of the team. This can be a new start for him and he can be stronger as a player."

Wenger said he did not regret the choice of Gallas as captain but did not discuss if he should have made a change at the end of last season.