Andrey Arshavin was full of praise for Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas after victory over Manchester City.

"We managed to show good and fast football and I think it was due to Cesc's brilliant play," he said. "He reads situations on the pitch so well and knows instantly how to organise an attack.

"Manchester City is one of the strongest teams in the Premier League. But having such strikers as Robinho and [Craig] Bellamy as well as a number of creative stars in midfield they couldn't defend the whole game the way Sunderland or Fulham do.

"That made our life easier. Of course we were lucky to score rather early in the game."