Cesc Fabregas admits that Arsenal cannot aim to play perfect football 100 per cent of the time, and has insisted they are prepared to win ugly when needed.

"Teams believe the way you can beat us is to be tough physically. It is true that has worked in the past," he told the News of the World.

"But I have news for them - it doesn't work anymore. If it needs to be ugly then you have to be ugly.

"Not ugly as in kicking and fighting - but in battling it out to make sure you win the game by being the strongest, physically and mentally.

"It's not the way we want to play but if we have to of it, then, this time, we are ready.

"It is winning these sorts of games that delivers the titles.

"Obviously, the first thing we will try to do is play our own game and everyone knows how Arsenal love to play.

"But you can't play perfectly all the time."

October 2007 News