'We are there for Fabregas if he needs it'

Gael Clichy says the Arsenal squad are rallying round Cesc Fabregas while he deals with personal issues back in Spain.

The captain missed his country's final World Cup qualifier last week due to family reasons but played a full 90 minutes for his club against Birmingham on Saturday and then scored Arsenal's goal in their 1-1 draw at AZ Alkmaar on Tuesday.

Clichy declared his support for Fabregas and paid tribute to the 22-year-old for maintaining his high standards on the pitch despite problems off the field.

"In the dressing room he is always the same, like on the pitch, he is a good example for everyone," said the full-back.

"He is the captain and sometimes you go through bad moments in your private life and maybe this is one for him. But we are there for him if he needs it and once again he showed the character and we don't see that something is going wrong in his life.

"I hope everything will be good for him and his family. But in the dressing room and on the pitch he is still the big man."