Arsenal 6 Braga 0: Fabregas back to sparkling best

Cesc Fabregas inspired Arsenal to a thrashing of Braga at the Emirates Stadium and then warned of tougher battles to come.

Fabregas scored twice and Carlos Vela also hit a double, with the other goals coming from Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh.

"It was good training because in the Premier League and the Champions League we will have games where we will not have it easy," said Fabregas.

When asked if he was happy to be at Arsenal after the summer speculation over a move to Barcelona, he said: "I've always felt fantastic here. I'm very happy to be here."

Fabregas admitted he was disappointed not to complete his hat-trick. "I am a bit disappointed because I wanted to do it, it's the thing I haven't done as a professional."

The Gunners had chalked up 1,000 Premier League goals under Arsene Wenger in the 4-1 rout of Bolton on Saturday, and continued their fine form as the Portuguese debutants were taken apart by some breathtaking and clinical football.

Fabregas, who looks back to his best after helping Spain win the World Cup, opened the scoring from the penalty spot after eight minutes before a quickfire double from Arshavin and Chamakh made it 3-0 by half-time.

Arsenal – unbeaten from four Premier League games and two points behind leaders Chelsea – kept their foot on the accelerator, with Fabregas heading in number four and substitute Vela chalking up a late brace.

While sterner tests will lie ahead for Wenger's side, both at home and in Europe, the young Gunners showed again this could just be the season they finally come of age.