Wenger ready to gamble on Fabregas' fitness
Published 23:00 07/03/10 By John Cross
Arsene Wenger last night claimed he is ready to take a huge gamble on Cesc Fabregas - after claiming his captain is even better than Wayne Rooney.
Fabregas, 22, is a massive doubt for tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Porto after the Arsenal midfielder limped off with a recurrence of a hamstring injury against Burnley.
Spanish international Fabregas suffered a hamstring strain in the same area on his right leg before Christmas and now could be set for a lay-off which would be a huge blow for Arsenal’s title hopes and chances of overcoming Porto.
Arsenal boss Wenger admitted Fabregas is crucial to their hopes of success after claiming that his captain is in even better form than Manchester United’s England star Rooney this season.
When asked whether Fabregas is ahead of Rooney in the Player of the Year stakes, Wenger said: “You look at the numbers and statistics of Fabregas - it’s amazing.
“He has scored 14 goals 15 assists. He’s a fantastic player, with fantastic attitude and commitment.
“And what people forget an unbelievable work rate too. He is everywhere and this season he has made a big step forward, massive. It was interesting to see that he has already played at 16 but at 22 he has matured.”
Fabregas missed three weeks around Christmas with the hamstring injury and Wenger says that he may have to gamble on his fitness - but will not take a chance if the odds are too big.
Fabregas limped off in the 39th minute against Burnley after scoring the opener, having already felt the twinge in his right leg.
Wenger added: “He felt a tight hamstring but it had not gone. I’m convinced he had put in his mind: ’We have to score a goal and then I will go off’, knowing that his hamstring was tight.
“But we were 1-0 up and I thought we shouldn’t take a gamble so we took him off. He has little chance, yes. I haven’t spoken to the medical people yet. We will have to assess that.
“It depends how big the gamble is. I’m ready to take the gamble. But if it is more than 50 per cent chance his hamstring goes I will not take it.”
Arsenal will be boosted by the return of fit-again Sol Campbell after a groin injury and he will face Porto in place of Mikael Silvestre.
Alex Song is also available for Europe in the middle of his two game domestic ban while Andrey Arshavin and Abou Diaby are set to return to the starting line-up as Arsenal look to overturn a 2-1 defeat from the first leg.
