We're scared! Cesc Fabregas admits Arsenal bottle the big games

By Simon Cass Updated: 09:52 EDT, 20 December 2010

Cesc Fabregas has warned his team-mates they must lose the fear factor when they face their title rivals otherwise Arsenal are destined to become also-rans once again this season.

Arsenal have already lost on the road to Chelsea and Manchester United this season and could only manage a draw at Liverpool.

And although they an impressive 3-0 win away to Manchester City, a 3-2 home defeat to bitter rivals Spurs continued Arsenal's run of poor form against teams aiming to be in the title picture come May.

Losing the battle: Fabregas concedes Arsenal have under-performed in the big games

Chelsea visit The Emirates next Monday while Arsenal are still to entertain United, City and Liverpool.

And Fabregas admitted that unless Arsenal find a cure for their stage fright then they will continue to struggle when the big occasions come around.

'Sometimes we seem scared of losing these big games,' said the Arsenal skipper. 'We don't really go for it and we're tempted to drop back and see what the opposition do.

'We look to see if we are capable of beating them by what they are doing, and how good they are on the day, instead of us going forward, causing them problems, and dominating the game ourselves.'

Bad times: Wojciech Szczesny watches helplessly as Park Ji-sung's header loops over him in Arsenal's defeat

Using the recent 1-0 defeat to United as an example of Arsenal inability to impose themselves, Fabregas added: 'I think the difference on the night was that we were scared of losing, but they were not scared of winning. That was a big difference that played in our heads. I'm realising more and more that football is all about confidence and mentality.'

Even Arsene Wenger was forced to acknowledge his team's tendency to freeze on the big occasion, a worrying trend given the impeding date with Chelsea and a forthcoming Champions League encounter with Barcelona.

'We looked a little nervous at Old Trafford,' conceded Wenger. 'We put a bit too much pressure on our shoulders because we were so intent on winning a big game, and as a result we didn't turn up with the kind of performance we can produce. There was certainly no lack of desire of desire or of wanting to do the things we're able to, but I think nerves were present.'

In Arsenal I trust: Wenger insists the Gunners will learn from their mistakes

Given Arsenal have lost three games at the Emirates this season this season, only rock bottom West Ham have lost more at home, Wenger's belief that his side hold an advantage over their main rivals because they must still travel to North London is questionable.

But Wenger feels he has seen enough from his side to suggest they can finally start winning the games which will be viewed as title deciders come the end of the season.

He added: 'What we have learned in the away games with the big teams is that our quality puts us in contention. Now the rest of the season will be decided on how much we've learned, how much we improve and how much confidence we can take from our performances so far.'