Cesc Fabregas last night dedicated his goal to his tragic former
Spanish team-mate Antonio Puerta after firing Arsenal into the
Champions League group stages.
Gunners supersub Fabregas was left devastated after Sevilla
midfielder Puerta, 22, died on Tuesday, three days after suffering
a heart attack during a Spanish League match.
Fabregas wore a black armband and was deeply emotional as he paid
tribute after a victory sealed by goals from Tomas Rosicky and £8m
striker Eduardo - his first for the club. Spain star Fabregas said:
"I wore the black armband in his memory because I played with him
for a year in the under-21s. He made his debut in the full national
team with me and I was really sad when they told me.
"That was for him, the goal was for him and everything was for him
because he was 22 years old and the way he died was a tragedy. You
never know what's going to happen so you have to enjoy every moment
both in football and in your life.
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"He was a great guy, he loved football."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger praised Fabregas, who scored in the
tie's first leg in Prague, for the way he handled a traumatic
night. "It was emotional for Fabregas," he said. "He played with
the guy Puerta in the U21s and it was a big shock for him."
The Gunners are now on their way to a £25million jackpot after
reaching the Champions League group stages as they booked a place
in today's draw in Monaco.
