• Carling Cup

Fabregas ruled out of Carling Cup final

ESPN staff
February 24, 2011
Cesc Fabregas could miss Barcelona © Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger has confirmed on Arsenal's official website that Cesc Fabregas will miss the Carling Cup final with Birmingham.

Fabregas picked up a hamstring problem in the 1-0 win over Stoke on Wednesday, limping off before half-time at Emirates Stadium. Now the Gunners' worst fears have been realised.

"It is a very small injury but certainly Cesc will be out for Sunday," said Wenger. "For how long [beyond that] I don't know but definitely for Sunday. 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."

Nine days after the Carling Cup final is Arsenal's second leg in Barcelona, with games against Leyton Orient and Sunderland preceding that tie. Wenger admits he cannot put a time frame on Fabregas' return.

"It is very difficult to give a deadline," said Wenger. "It is impossible."

Fabregas joins Theo Walcott on the sidelines, and Wenger revealed the latter is expected to be out for two weeks.

"I saw him this morning," said Wenger. "He has a classic ankle sprain. We don't 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."

There is some good news for Arsenal though, with Robin van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby all confirmed fit for Sunday's final.

"All the three will be available," said Wenger. "That's the good news. And everybody else is all right from the Stoke game too."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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