Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Cesc Fabregas can be the next Paul Scholes.

The previous occupier of the Arsenal No 4 shirt - Patrick Vieira - claims Manchester United's Scholes is the best player he has ever faced.

Fabregas, aged 20, has scored four goals in six games as the Gunners have moved up to second place in the Premier League and qualified for the group stages of the Champions League.

And Wenger told the Ham & High newspaper: "He has a lot of characteristics of Scholes, I think.

"Frame, intelligence in the game, passing ability, knowing when to go in the box."