Cesc Fabregas blasts long-ball tactics

Ipswich 1-0 Arsenal

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has launched a stinging attack on the style of some teams he has faced - but warned his side must adapt to the tactics.

The Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Ipswich in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg after a long ball deceived the defence.

"I don't know if it is long ball or a rugby kick but it worked for them," he said. "In England a lot of teams create chances like that and it works.

"We just have to put the ball on the floor and try to play football."

Fabregas believes the Gunners will overcome the deficit in the return leg and added: "It is 1-0, and of course we did not want to lose, but it is not 3-0 or 4-0 so we are confident at home we can make it back.

"It was disappointing to lose because I think we were the much better team. Arsenal made the football, the other team refused to play football, they were lucky to score with a long ball.

"Now we will see how they cope at the Emirates against us."

606: DEBATE What gets on my nerves about Fabregas saying Ipswich played rugby is that football is a sport - it has rules and regulations and if you manage to create a way in which to succeed within those rules and regulations you should be credited Zerbz

Arsenal return to league action on Saturday with a London derby against bottom side West Ham and Fabregas insisted: "The Premier League is the priority for us.

"It will be a difficult game because West Ham always play well against us, so we will have to be at our best."

Meanwhile manager Arsene Wenger, who labelled the defeat against Ipswich "naive," has confirmed he will look to recruit central defensive cover for Laurent Koscielny and Johan Djourou.

Potential targets could include former Gunner Matthew Upson, who has yet to agree a new deal with the Hammers, Bolton centre-back Gary Cahill, Montpellier's Bosnian international Emir Spahic and Per Mertesacker of Werder Bremen.