Cesc Fabregas has been ruled out of Sundayβs Carling Cup Final with the hamstring injury sustained in last nightβs 1-0 win over Stoke. Arsene Wenger has this evening revealed that the injury, although not a major setback, will keep his skipper out of the Wembley clash with Birmingham.
βIt is a very small injury but certainly Cesc will be out for Sundayβ¦.For how long [beyond that] I donβt know but definitely for Sundayβ¦He is disappointed. We all feel sorry and sad for him. The only way we help him now is to win the Carling Cup as he contributed a lot in this competition.ββ¨
The absence of Fabregas for Sundayβs game is not a concern for Fantasy Managers but, the chances of the Spaniard appearing for Gameweekβs 29 Emirates clash with Sunderland certainly are. A return for that one looks fairly remote to say the least given that Arsenal will surely be doing all they can to get Fabregas fit for the Champions League clash with Barcelona three days later. When asked on his skippersβ chances of making the European tie, Wenger was non-committal..
βIt is very difficult to give a deadlineβ¦It is impossible.β
Elsewhere, Wenger also offered us an update on Theo Walcottβs condition β he looks likely to be out for at least a couple of weeks with the ankle sprain suffered in last nightβs game.
βHe has a classic ankle sprain. We donβt think there is any more damage to it. But it is still a sprain. We are sad for him too. He is out for Sunday and maybe one or two more weeks more.β
Wenger did have better news on Robin Van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby however. All three are fit and in contention for Sundayβs final.
