Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed captain Cesc Fabregas after his brilliant performance in the 6-0 Champions League demolition of Portugal's Braga.

Fabregas scored twice for the Gunners as they ran riot at the Emirates and his showing was not lost on Wenger who was full of superlatives for the Spanish ace.

"He has taken another dimension," said the Arsenal boss.

"People forget he is 23, where other players start.

"Cesc has a fantastic influence. What is important is that he leads the team to winning.

"What I like is he gave the ball to Carlos Vela when he could have tried to score a third himself - that reflects the way we want to play the game and on a leader who does what the game wants, not being selfish.

"He arrived here at the age of 16 and enjoys the way we play. What more do you want to be happy?"

Wenger added that the whole Barcelona transfer saga was not an ideal state of affairs for Fabregas and lauded the way the player had dealt with the situation.

"It wasn't easy for him in the summer, he was under a lot of pressure of course, but I never had any doubt that he loves the club and he wants to do well for us," the Frenchman added.

"He's a leader and he shows that in his attitude on and off the pitch."