Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas was delighted to see the Gunners battle past Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup last Tuesday as he explained how who made the difference on the pitch was midfielder Andrey Arshavin.

Speaking in his notes for the Arsenal Match Day Programme, the Spaniard was full of praise for the Russian explaining how he is a player who can win a game with his talent, highlighting the two passes which led to the two penalties and of course the goal which put the game to bed.

Arsenal will face West Bromwich Albion this afternoon without the 23-year old midfielder and also without other key elements such as Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner with midfielders Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Eboue to undergo late fitness tests after they both received knocks in the White Hart Lane game.

The Gunners will be hoping to keep their positive run going in this afternoon’s game and also to see Chelsea drop points in Saturday’s early kick off when Carlo Ancelotti’s men face Manchester City away from home.

On Arshavin, Fabregas said:

I think Andrey Arshavin made the big difference for us.

I believe he won us the game when he came on. He played the two passes that led to the two penalties in extra-time, then he scored the last goal himself. He can win a game.