Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas hopeful of playing against Barcelona
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas believes that he will be available for their trip to Nou Camp to play the second leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout stage fixture against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 after being on the sidelines for three weeks due to a hamstring injury.
He said, “I am running, getting better and don’t sense any pain. We’ll see how the next few days go. Perhaps I’ll have a chance for Saturday. We’ll take things day by day. I knew I had to come off [against Stoke]. I know when I can play. We have many games
coming up so I couldn’t afford to stay on and lose three weeks rather than seven days.”
The Gunners’ skipper pulled his hamstring in Arsenal’s Premier League win over Stoke City recently. Fabregas lasted only 13 minutes on the pitch against Stoke City and opted to leave the game in order to prevent any serious injury.
The same injury forced the Spanish midfielder to spend time on the sidelines in the first half of the ongoing 2010-11 season. Fabregas was initially ruled out for more than two weeks and was doubtful for a return to face his boyhood club, Barcelona. However,
his rapid recovery means that he could return to lead Arsenal at Nou Camp.
The 23-year-old was one of Arsenal’s vital players that marked a historic victory over Barcelona at Emirates few weeks ago. Fabregas was not part of Arsenal’s visit to Nou Camp when the Gunners’ hopes of UEFA Champions League glory were crushed by four goals
of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 in the previous season.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 and Theo Walcott are out due to knee and ankle injuries respectively.
Persie, who has been in superb form, injured his knee while scoring the equaliser in Arsenal’s Carling Cup defeat against Birmingham City. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873 injured his ankle against Stoke City and was stretchered off in the 70th minute.
In these circumstances when Arsenal’s main players are unavailable, Fabregas’ addition to the squad could provide a huge boost to the hopes of the Gunners against Barcelona.
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