Cesc not keen on Vieira talk
Arsenal starlet Cesc Fabregas does not like being compared to Patrick Vieira.
Arsenal starlet Cesc Fabregas admits he does not like being compared to former team-mate Patrick Vieira.
Fabregas has replaced the Frenchman as the cornerstone of The Gunners' midfield this season following Vieira's sale to Juventus.
Though Vieira's influence has been missed on occasion, the teenage Fabregas has shown he is more than capable of filling the void.
But while the Spaniard acknowledges the contribution Vieira has made to his development, he prefers to shun comparisons to his ex-captain.
"I don't like it much," Fabregas told As when quizzed on his likeness to Vieira.
"I believe we are totally different. Our games are not similar at all, although I have to say I learnt a lot from him and was lucky to spend two full seasons with him in the dressing room.
"Training with him every day, I learnt a massive amount from him, both on and off the pitch."
The 18-year-old has been a key figure in Arsenal's march to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, with a date against Villarreal circled on the calendar on Wednesday.
Arsenal are also pressing for qualification for next season's Champions League via The Premiership and Fabregas is confident his team can overhaul North London rivals Tottenham for fourth spot.
"Well, I think we'll end up finishing fourth, but it's down to us now," he added.
"Tottenham Hotspur have quite a difficult run and in football you never know.
"We have to keep on going in the league and then think about the Champions League which is really important for us this season."
The midfielder's stellar displays for The Gunners have seen him linked with Real Madrid and Fabregas concedes it is impossible to completely dismiss interest from the Spanish capital.
He continued: "I think that if you completely discount this kind of thing, a team like Real Madrid, you are not very intelligent.
"Madrid is a great club, but for me, with how well things are going here and I feel, I have never thought about leaving because I am happy.
"I am how I am, I am doing things that I enjoy in a team I enjoy playing in. I have team-mates who I am learning off every day and right now I am not thinking about leaving."
