Wenger's gunning for silverware

London: Arsene Wenger's hopes of ending Arsenal's silverware drought will have been boosted by Sunday's win over rivals Manchester City, but if the Gunners are to end five years of misery it will be thanks to the Frenchman's ability to persuade talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas to remain at the Emirates and away from the clutches of Barcelona.

Fabregas had looked a certainty to join his former club in the summer with most Arsenal fans seemingly resigned to their most influential player following in the footsteps of former Gunner great Thierry Henry to the Catalan giants.

Yet, while Wenger had endorsed the sale of Arsenal's all-time leading scorer on the grounds he was past his best, he was less than enthusiastic about letting go of his young captain — a player who more than anyone embodies the Frenchman's philosophy of play.

We'll never know what was said during the summer, but somehow the Frenchman convinced Fabregas his immediate future lay with the Gunners.

Spaniard's importance

There is an accepted wisdom in football that the Spaniard will make his move next year, although Wenger has already said he is confident of keeping his talisman beyond this date.

That remains to be seen, but what can't be denied is the Spaniard's importance to the London giants.

Against City on Sunday he was simply sublime, despite missing an early penalty.

His ability to pick the right pass has been well documented and against a City side that had been reduced to ten men he was in his element, pulling the strings from the heart of midfield.

However, what separates him from the majority of central midfielders is the amount of time he appears to have on the ball. At Eastlands, it was almost like he was playing in another era, such was the space he found in the middle of park.

How City boss Roberto Mancini must have wished he had such creativity at the heart of his team, although the Eastlanders were always going to struggle to retain possession once they went down to 10 men.

Wenger will now hope his team can kick on from Sunday's morale-boosting win, and will hope his captain can remain injury free.

The Frenchman has other options, of course, but while the continued development of Jack Wilshere is a heartening sight for England fans, Wenger will know any consistent push for silverware depends on the continued services of his captain.

Renewed success at the Emirates would also give the Frenchman some valuable credit when trying to persuade his captain to stay beyond the end of this season.

Barcelona will always be an attractive option for a player who learnt his trade at the Nou Camp, but Fabregas is well aware it was Arsenal who gave him his chance to develop into the superstar he is today and he appears to genuinely love the club.

In the end it still might not be enough, but if Catalonia is to prove his ultimate port of call then what better away to say goodbye to north London than having just helped deliver a Premiership crown or Champions League trophy.