Fabregas: Walcott Has Messi Magic

Cesc Fabregas believes fellow teenager Theo Walcott is as good as Barcelona's young star Lionel Messi after watching his team-mate inspire Arsenal to move within touching distance of the Champions League knockout stages.

With Tuesday night's match against Hamburg at the Emirates Stadium locked at 1-1 and the Gunners in real danger of seeing their European dreams fade, the 17-year-old came off the bench to light up the clash.

Walcott’s electric pace and dynamism helped set up full-back Emmanuel Eboue to put Arsenal ahead before the teenager’s run and cross gifted on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Julio Baptista his first goal for the club two minutes from time.

Manager Arsene Wenger has promised the former Southampton trainee will be 'given more games now'.

He has more than proved himself after his selection for the ill-fated World Cup squad, when he did not play at all in Germany.

Spain international Fabregas, 19, has developed a close bond with Walcott off the pitch and is in no doubt as to just what an impact his friend can have.

“If I had to choose two players, it would be Theo and Lionel Messi. For me they are the two best players I have seen at 16 or 17,” said the midfielder.

“I was surprised how good Theo was because I had never heard of him as I do not follow the [Coca-Cola] Championship.

“But when he came to Arsenal, you could see he has the quality.”

Fabregas added: “Theo is showing everyone that he is a great player.

“I know from my own experience it takes time when you are young, and in England their own young players are under pressure - but he is able to handle it, like Wayne Rooney, and that is why he is so good.

“Sometimes the manager uses him sparingly so people do not have a go at him, and he will play for Arsenal many times I am sure.”

The Gunners’ victory moved them back to the top of Group G, ahead of Porto who beat CSKA Moscow and host Arsenal - who will be without the suspended Thierry Henry - on December 6.

A draw would be enough to see last season’s runners-up safely through to the knock-out stages - a position which should have already been secure after opening the European campaign with successive victories.

Fabregas, however, insisted: “We will go there and we try to win as usual - we are Arsenal and we have to always play to win the games.

“First of all, though, we have Bolton, Fulham and then Tottenham, all difficult games in the Premiership.”

The Gunners will be out to get their domestic campaign back on track at the Reebok Stadium, having again dropped two points at home against Newcastle United last weekend.

Given the difficulties faced by Wenger’s men on previous visits to the north west, there is likely to the no quarter given by the Trotters on Saturday.

Fabregas said: “In the last two seasons it is the type of game that I have suffered most in when I played in the Premiership.

“I hope this season I am a bit stronger.

“It is a really important game and because Manchester United play Chelsea, it is a good chance to catch up the top teams.”

Arsenal are currently in fourth place and trail the leaders by some 12 points, albeit with a match in hand.

On the clash at Old Trafford, Fabregas said: “Probably the best result would be a draw.

“You know you have to fight really hard and win a lot of games if you are going to catch them.”

[ Source : from news.bbc.co.uk ]