"Throughout the game [at Manchester City in the 3-0 Carling Cup defeat last Wednesday], we had a lot of possession but didn't really have anyone to go in behind the defenders, apart from Carlos Vela," Fábregas said. "We had a lot of similar players who like the ball into their feet. Sometimes it's true that you need a different kind of option."

Fábregas need only look across London to see the striker who he rates as the finest in the world. Didier Drogba was at his muscular, destructive best in orchestrating Chelsea's 3-0 Premier League win at the Emirates on the Sunday before last. What Fábregas would give for a similar player at Arsenal.

"Overall, I saw a Chelsea team that was normal but a team that has probably the best striker in the world, and that makes such a difference‚" Fábregas said. "An average team that has the best striker in the world can always do something and Didier Drogba makes all the difference to them. Without him, their team would not be the same. Perhaps we had the same kind of problem against Chelsea as the boys had at Manchester City, not really having someone whose game is to go beyond defenders, and we were a little small to fight against them on crosses, too."

This raises the matter of the status of Arsenal forward Eduardo da Silva.

He has been given a huge opportunity to showcase his skills in the absence of Robin van Persie, but so far he has failed.

He is good but not great with the ball at his feet which means he has to be a lethal finisher. Unfortunately for Arsenal, he has not been a lethal finisher of late. Chelsea came to town last week in arguably Arsenal's biggest game of the season. Eduardo attempted 0 shots and had few effective touches of the ball. He failed massively on the big stage. His performance in this game, I think, really disappointed Arsene Wenger and Arsenal's midfield support players.

Eduardo was dropped for the next league game.

Arsenal need the option of a big presence in attack.