Fabregas left Barcelona at just 16

Fabregas was the star of Arsenal's 2-0 victory against Juventus at Highbury.

And the 18-year-old believes the quarter-final win proves he was right to leave home at such a tender age.

Fabregas said: "I am really happy to have made that decision when I was so young. So many people have believed in me so it's great."

The young Spain midfield star outshone former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, scoring the opener and setting up Thierry Henry's crucial second.

But he is uncomforable with claims he has come of age and matured as Vieira's natural successor.

Fabregas said: "I don't know and I don't like it. I have always tried my best. I work hard in every training session and I always give my best.

"In the last few weeks we have won games and done well and it reflects well on a player individually, but I don't think that's fair. It's the team.

"I am getting better. I feel stronger in training and I am playing better but it is also because the team is playing well. We are young and improving a lot as a team.

"I tried to do my best as usual. I like to show everyone that I can play for Arsenal and luckily for me I scored one goal and set up another.

Cesc is already old in his head - you can see from the way he plays and I just hope he can carry on like that for a long time Thierry Henry

"It is always difficult to play against midfielders like Patrick and Emerson. They are two of the best midfielders in the world.

"I am 18 and I had to play against them so I had to work hard for the team and that's what we did."

Team-mate Henry bracketed Fabregas with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Barcelona's Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho after his display against Juventus.

He said: "The whole team played well but you cannot fail to mention Cesc. The way he is playing at the moment is amazing.

"You have players like Wayne Rooney, Patrick Vieira or Ronaldinho who were just like that when they were young. But there are not a lot of them.

"I just hope he has the same career. I had faith in Cesc but, at the beginning of the season, he wasn't playing that well and people were having a go at him.

"He has to cope with this now but he can take it. That's why he is where he is. Some players just drop if you have a go at them but Cesc can handle it.

"He is doing extremely well but, for now, let the guy grow."