|
|
Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas Ruled Out Of Crucial Champions League Match With Porto
Midfielder's hamstrung injury keeps him out of crucial European clash....
08-Mar-2010 6:34:00 PM
By Alex Dimond
Cesc Fabregas will not be fit in time for Arsenal's crucial Champions League tie against Porto on Tuesday night after he missed training on Monday.
The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in the 3-1 victory over Burnley at the Emirates at the weekend, and his absence from training led to confirmation that will not play for his side in their crucial second leg tie against the Portuguese champions.
The Gunners are 2-1 down after the first leg, and manager Arsene Wenger said at the weekend that he would be prepared to risk his captain in order to get his side through to the quarter-finals. But the midfielder's injury has now proven serious enough to rule him out of the game.
"We cannot even take a gamble because he is just not available," Wenger said.
"We were quite cautious with him, he was not adamant about coming off [during the Burnley game] but still he has damaged his hamstring and we cannot take a gamble on him."
Fabregas has previously missed almost a month of action this season with a similar injury (sustained on December 27 against Aston Villa) and the Frenchman will hope another long lay-off is not on the cards.
Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alexandre Song will all be available to replace the Spaniard. But the 22-year-old's absence will be a massive blow.
"Ideally you want him to be there but you want to qualify and the absence of Cesc is not any excuse at all," Wenger said.
"We have enough players and a strong enough squad to get round that and a very good chance to qualify.
"I think this team has good chances to make it through because we are very hungry and in a very strong position. We want to win tomorrow and we have scored away from home.
"That is still a massive advantage in the UEFA rules and that is why we are confident we can do it."
There was some good news for Wenger today, however, as defender Sol Campbell took part in training and looks likely to be available for selection. The Englishman seems to have overcome a groin problem that kept him out at the weekend.
The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in the 3-1 victory over Burnley at the Emirates at the weekend, and his absence from training led to confirmation that will not play for his side in their crucial second leg tie against the Portuguese champions.
The Gunners are 2-1 down after the first leg, and manager Arsene Wenger said at the weekend that he would be prepared to risk his captain in order to get his side through to the quarter-finals. But the midfielder's injury has now proven serious enough to rule him out of the game.
"We cannot even take a gamble because he is just not available," Wenger said.
"We were quite cautious with him, he was not adamant about coming off [during the Burnley game] but still he has damaged his hamstring and we cannot take a gamble on him."
Fabregas has previously missed almost a month of action this season with a similar injury (sustained on December 27 against Aston Villa) and the Frenchman will hope another long lay-off is not on the cards.
Abou Diaby, Denilson and Alexandre Song will all be available to replace the Spaniard. But the 22-year-old's absence will be a massive blow.
"Ideally you want him to be there but you want to qualify and the absence of Cesc is not any excuse at all," Wenger said.
"We have enough players and a strong enough squad to get round that and a very good chance to qualify.
"I think this team has good chances to make it through because we are very hungry and in a very strong position. We want to win tomorrow and we have scored away from home.
"That is still a massive advantage in the UEFA rules and that is why we are confident we can do it."
There was some good news for Wenger today, however, as defender Sol Campbell took part in training and looks likely to be available for selection. The Englishman seems to have overcome a groin problem that kept him out at the weekend.
Inside Goal.Com
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour
-
Euro 2012 a timely respite for depressed Spain
With 24 per cent unemployment, wage cuts and little hope for improvement in the short term, the continental competition will at least take people's minds off their sad situation
-
Welbeck impresses but it's a bad day for Johnson
Ashley Young has also all but secured his place in the starting line up against France while Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Here's how the Belgium friendly affected the England player's chances of featuring in Euro 2012
-
Five players Rodgers could sign for Liverpool
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Lambert the latest in EPL manager merry-go-round
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday