Are Pep Guardiola & Patrick Vieira behind Como's success? Cesc Fabregas hails two 'role models' ahead of first managerial meeting with ex-Arsenal midfielder

Fabregas' Como host Vieira's Genoa on Sunday afternoon. Both sides currently sit on 39 points in Serie A, and can confirm their status in the top flight with a point. The young manager spoke about the influence of his former team-mate on his career. Vieira was club captain at Arsenal when Fabregas made his first-team debut in 2003.

The Spaniard called Vieira and his Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola his role models in football, and said he will always be grateful to the Frenchman. The two played together 38 times in the middle of the park for the Gunners.

Fabregas said: "In my first year at Arsenal, I shared the dressing room with Patrick. Alongside Guardiola, he is my role model. He welcomed me as a true captain and helped me develop. I will always be grateful to him. It’s a shame we won’t see each other on the pitch on Sunday but we’ll have other opportunities."

Como are 15 points clear of the drop zone with five games left to play, and confirming their stay in Serie A will be a major achievement for the club in their first season back in the top flight since 2002-03.