Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas scored twice to help Arsenal thrash Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 in the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League third round qualifying tie. Fabregas notched a brace in the second half and Dutch forward Robin van Persie was also on the scoresheet to seal the victory for Gunners. Arsenal now have a commanding lead over their opponents before the second-leg takes place in the Londoners' venue Emirates on the 23rd of August. Fabregas put the English giants ahead three minutes past the hour mark when he received Van Persie's neat pass inside the area before drilling a shot into the bottom corner of the net. Just one minute later, Van Persie added the second after he latched on to Alexander Hleb's brilliant long ball and sent a low shot into the back of the net. Fabregas completed the rout in the 79th minute when he went past two defenders and fired a powerful shot past Dinamo keeper Ivan Turina. Elsewhere, Portuguese giants Benfica earned a 1-1 away draw with AustriaVienna. Jocelyn Blanchard's goal for Vienna in the 36th minute cancelled out Nuno Gomes' opener in the 16th minute.
