Former Arsenal star Ray Parlour is delighted to see Cesc Fabregas collect the club's Player of the Season award.

Parlour told arsenal.com: "He has been fantastic. It was a big season for him after Henry left and it gave Cesc more to do within the team and he stepped up. He has matured. We all knew his potential when he was 15; he had the touch and that desire as well.

"Last season he got forward a lot more and is scoring goals - that was probably lacking a bit before. Last year 12 goals was a good return for him. Flamini helped in that because he did a lot of hard work in midfield but, all-round, Cesc has improved. His passing is fantastic and he still has the desire and doesn't mind putting a tackle in. He had a great season."

Another former Gunners midfielder, Stewart Robson, also said: "He's a magnificent player. He's not a great dribbler of the ball but he always makes the right decision when the ball comes to him. He's got a good range of passing, he found an almost telepathic understanding with Adebayor, and he got forward more and scored more goals last season.

"He linked up play and showed more energy, he has proved he is athletic enough to be a world-class midfielder. Would he score enough goals to warrant comparison with the likes of Michel Platini? Well, he is getting that way now. I think most aspects of his game have improved."