Arsenal FC: Remember Better Days with Cesc Fabregas's Wonder Goal vs. Tottenham

As the North London Derby approaches, there is no better way to prepare emotionally for a victory over Tottenham than to watch past triumphs over that other North London team.

Back when the Gunners had one of the best midfielders in the world in Cesc Fabregas, moments like this always seemed to be possible. Why not relive those glorious, albeit trophy-less, days?

In the first half of this 2009 encounter at the Emirates, Arsenal were consistently frustrated by a stubborn Spurs side who repeatedly bent but never quite broke and allowed Arsenal to crack open their defence.

However, a great finish from Robin van Persie finally gave Arsenal the breakthrough they so desperately were searching for and injected new life in the side.

Clearly, the injection of energy had quite an effect on Arsenal's young new captain Fabregas, who, immediately after the restart, intercepted a sloppy pass from Wilson Palacios and raced at full speed past three Spurs defenders before stroking a perfect finish past the stunned Heurelho Gomes.

Moments of magic like this are why it was to difficult for Arsenal to let go of their star man and why he is so sorely missed in today's squad.

Nothing better than a trip down memory lane to rekindle the old magic, though, and games like the North London Derby tend to bring out moments like this. Hopefully, someone will step up at White Hart Lane and be our Cesc Fabregas.

But for now, let's just enjoy one of the best goals and one of the best moments from one of the greatest Gunners ever. There's hardly any better way to prepare for a derby.

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