Cesc eyes repeat performance

Arsenal midfielder expecting difficult game

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 6th April 2008

spain cesc fabregas training

Fabregas: Still confident

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Cesc Fabregas is expecting a difficult game against Liverpool on Tuesday but feels Arsenal can progress to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League if they turn in a performance as good as the one at Milan in the last round.

Arsenal won 2-0 in Italy after being held to a goalless draw at Emirates Stadium in the first leg.

They also failed to beat Liverpool at home last week, a 1-1 draw leaving the tie delicately balanced ahead of this week's return leg at Anfield.

Fabregas is confident of going through but knows he will have to get the better of his duel against Reds midfielder Javier Mascherano if he is to exert much influence on the match.

"I could feel his breath on my neck every time I was on the ball in the first half," Fabregas told the Daily Star Sunday.

"Defensively, he's a very good player who reminds me a bit of Mathieu Flamini. What we need, though, is a similar effort to the way we played away to Milan, when we won 2-0 after drawing at the Emirates.

Attacking approach

"I think it is going to be very difficult because they defend very well. All they'll want to do is defend and catch us on the break.

"We have to stick to our policy of playing good football, attacking and trying to create chances."

Fabregas is also taking inspiration from Arsenal's display against Liverpool in the league 19 years ago.

Alan Smith and Michael Thomas scored to give The Gunners the 2-0 victory they needed to clinch the championship at Liverpool's expense.

Fabregas said: "I watched it on Arsenal TV last Monday. Smithy, who I know, scored one of the goals.

"Hopefully, we'll get a similar result when we go to Anfield on Tuesday night. It would be amazing to win there."