Fabregas was in the thick of the action against Sparta Prague on Wednesday night, scoring during the second half to set the Gunners on their way to a crucial 2-0 victory which puts them in the driving seat to reach the lucrative group stages of the Champions League.

The intentions of the Czechs had been set out from kick-off.

Former West Ham defender Tomas Repka - who had talked up using rough treatment in the pre-match build-up - took just two minutes to make his presence felt with a clattering challenge on Robin van Persie.

The 33-year-old was also involved in a hefty tackle with Fabregas, out of which he came off worst and eventually had to be replaced 10 minutes before half-time.

Fabregas was jeered by the partisan crowd at the AXA Stadium from then on, but had the last laugh when he slotted home following good work by full-back Gael Clichy, before Alexander Hleb added a second after a quick break in stoppage-time.

"It was a bit of a battle," said Fabregas.

"Sometimes in the game, you get this kind of thing.

"Sometimes when you cannot play because they are going in very strong, you have to go for a physical game as well."

Fabregas insisted: "Nobody has a bad intention. I just thought I could get the ball.

"It is true, maybe I was a bit late.

"He did the same before, this is football, sometimes it happens to you.

"Of course, I am sorry for him."

Fabregas revealed Repka had "insulted" him before the defender hobbled off with a leg injury late in the first half.

"He started insulting me and I said 'okay, well do not'," said the Arsenal midfielder, who denied he mocked Repka as the Sparta player was forced out of the game.

"He was saying Czech words which I do not understand. Maybe Tomas [Rosicky] can translate for me.

Fabregas added: "But I never play football like this, just to kick somebody.

"You just play because you enjoy it. You want to win for your team.

"I think it is not good for football to say before the game that you will kick players, because after we will be ready for it."

Arsene Wenger praised the never-say-die attitude of his players, and also the way they kept cool in what were often hostile conditions, with three players cautioned during the first half - including Fabregas for his challenge on Repka.

Such new-found determination helped Arsenal come from behind to beat Fulham at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, when Hleb had also netted in the dying moments.

With what could be another stern test coming up in the Barclays Premier League at Blackburn on Sunday, Fabregas feels this Arsenal side have learnt some tough lessons.

"At half-time, we said we have to be patient in these type of games," the midfielder noted.

"Last season was the same thing, playing not so good in the first half and then coming back.

"Against Prague we again showed our potential.

"We have to be ready for everything in football, and now we have to think about Blackburn, because that is the most important thing right now.

"We have been struggling a bit of the last two years, but now we have to change and the team is looking positive."

Wenger hopes his midfield can help provide goals, which would ease the loss of main threat Thierry Henry following the captain's summer sale to Barcelona.

Fabregas netted twice in the Champions League qualifier away to Dinamo Zagreb last year, but then did not score again until April.

The midfielder hopes this time it is the start of more consistent returns.

"It is a target to score more goals - but last season at this same stage I said the same thing, and then did not score for nearly 50 games," he recalled.

"The most important thing is that the team wins, and if I can help with goals, then of course that is better."

Wenger will check on the fitness of several players ahead of Sunday's trip to Ewood Park.

Converted right-winger Emmanuel Eboue left the AXA Stadium with his ankle heavily strapped last night.

Summer signing Eduardo da Silva missed the first two games of the season because of his own ankle problem, but could make an anticipated debut this weekend.

Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor is on the mend from a groin problem picked up during pre-season, while midfielder Gilberto hopes to be back in the squad for the clash with Manchester City on August 25 after an extended break because of the Copa America.

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Wenger tonight revealed Eduardo was now fully fit - and in line for a run-out at Ewood Park.

"Why not?" said the Arsenal manager. "We have played two hard and physical games this season already so we need fresh legs."

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "From last night, we might have a little problem with Eboue, who is struggling a bit. I don't know yet, we will have more news tomorrow.

"The players who come back available could be Denilson and Eduardo.

"I don't think we'll lose anyone else from last night apart from that little question mark over Eboue."