Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas believes he's learned to handle criticism better this season. Fabregas has been instrumental in his team's resurgence, scoring 10 Premier League goals and 13 in all competitions.

The Spain international told Champions magazine: "I was really down last season. I couldn't enjoy anything, everything was negative. I lost that passion for the game and was happier closed off at home. It's a very odd feeling.

"To be ruled out for four months through injury was the worst period of my career, but I learned a great deal from that experience.

"I deal with things very differently now. After a game it used to take me hours to pick myself up, three hours or so to deal with a defeat. Nobody could talk to me. But now, just half an hour.

"Maybe the next day you walk around with a bit of a long face, but you've just got to look ahead and be positive.

"I don't internalise now. I've got other things to distract me - my family, girlfriend, friends. I deal with criticism very differently now, whether it's something I read in the press or hear from fans.

"Before my injury, I took it all far too personally. Now I just think, well, what are you going to do? I don't allow it to get to me."