Having been rattling around in the minds of Fantasy Managers all week, commanding much discussion and a pretty substantial transfer bandwagon, Cesc Fabregas not only disappointed in his display against West Ham on Saturday – he also indicated that he was far from over his hamstring worries.
A downcast Fabregas spoke candidly following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory, bemoaning his display over the 90 minutes.
“The first-half was probably the worst first-half I’ve done in my life because I didn’t have the confidence; I couldn’t turn, I couldn’t sprint, I was losing every ball. But after, in the second-half, I had strapping and it was a little bit better and, maybe because we wanted to win so much, I didn’t think about it that much. We will see how it reacts.”
Arsene Wenger added further fuel to the fire with his post-match comments on his skipper’s fitness.
“He played a little bit within himself because he had a little tension in his hamstring. Let’s hope he has no setback. I hope he will be alright [for Shakhtar]. At half time I had a hesitation to take him off but I left him on for ten minutes or 15 minutes and in the end he got better and better.”
Fabregas will now surely be sparred in Arsenal’s Champions League tie with Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, ahead of the Emirates clash with Newcastle in Gameweek 11.
We will need to pay close attention to the news coming out of the Arsenal camp this week; Fabregas’ hamstrings are a known weak spot and further complications, leading to another spell of absence, is clearly a distinct possibility.
