Cesc Fabregas has hit out at Ipswich's 'rugby' tactics following Arsenal's shock defeat at Portman Road.
Arsenal skipper hits out after defeat by Tractor Boys
Cesc Fabregas has hit out at Ipswich's 'rugby' tactics following Arsenal's shock defeat at Portman Road.
A late strike from Tamas Priskin handed the Championship side the advantage following the Carling Cup semi-final first leg.
The goal came after Colin Healy's ball split the Arsenal centre-backs and Fabregas insists it will be a different game for the second leg at the Emirates in a fortnight's time.
He said: "I don't know it if it is long ball or it is a rugby kick, but it worked for them.
"In England, a lot of teams play like that and it works for them, they create chances like that and it is their football.
"We just have to put the ball on the floor and try to play football, that is what we do.
"I can only remember two opportunities for them, but it was from a long, long ball because playing football they could not really get behind us or attack us."
Disappointing
He added: "It is a bit disappointing because I think we were the much better team.
"Credit to them because they played well, but Arsenal made the football, the other team refused to play football, they were lucky to score with a long ball.
"But it was one of those nights and now we have to make it at the Emirates in two weeks."
While disappointed to lose the first leg, the Arsenal skipper is confident the Gunners can overcome the Tractor Boys, who recently lost 7-0 at Chelsea in the FA Cup.
He added: "It is a 1-0, and of course we did not want to lose, but it is not a 3-0 or 4-0 so we are confident at home we can make it back.
"It is not the same to play at Stamford Bridge as it is to come here.
Motivated
"Here they play in front of their fans, they are more motivated, the pitch is not as good as Stamford Bridge, so they play their game.
"They know how to do it and did it very well, so credit to them.
"Now we will see how they cope at the Emirates against us. We are confident we can do it there."
Arsenal next travel to West Ham for Saturday's Premier League late kick-off and Fabregas is targeting a return to winning ways as the Gunners seek to stay up with the pace at the top.
He added: "The Premier League is the priority for us
"It will be a difficult game because West Ham always play well against us, so we will have to be at our best."
