Arsenal vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604: Gunners’ skipper Cesc Fabregas claims he is fully fit to face the Catalans
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 skipper Cesc Fabregas has admitted that he is fully fit to start against Barcelona in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout round fixture at Nou Camp on Tuesday.
He said, “I was worried during the last fortnight thinking I couldn't make it but I am OK now. I haven't pushed myself – the team is very important to me so I wouldn't risk my health; that wouldn't be professional and I would be a bad team-mate.”
Fabregas was initially doubtful for the trip to his boyhood club after the midfielder pulled his hamstring in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Stoke City on 23 February, 2011. The 23-year-old midfielder was also forced to miss the Carling Cup final which Arsenal lost
by two to one against Birmingham City.
He was expected to be out of action for more than four weeks but showed a remarkable recovery from the injury and was named in Arsenal’s 15-man squad for the trip to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011.
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger earlier confirmed that Fabregas has a 90 per cent chance of featuring against Barcelona but the skipper claims that he will be more than ready to lead his side at Nou Camp.
Fabregas also insisted that his team has the strength and the depth to produce a shocker by knocking out favourites Barcelona. The skipper was confident that his team has what it takes to qualify for the next round.
He said, “We have the character and potential and we want to win trophies for the club. Everyone will want to show how good we are and it's a fantastic opportunity to win the game. We showed what we had to do in the first leg, but we can't forget we have
to play our own game. We are Arsenal and we have to make ourselves be respected.”
Arsenal are currently leading the tie, with a 2-1 win in the first leg over Barcelona at Emirates Stadium three weeks ago. However, the Gunners are still not favourites to triumph at Nou Camp after their previous disappointing performance at the same venue.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 scored four goals against the Gunners at the Barca home and the Catalans won the round of 16 Champions League tie by 6-3 on aggregate in the 2009-10 season.
However, the Gunners’ were without the service of captain Cesc Fabregas and vice-captain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380 at Nou Camp at that time. This time, both of the influential players are part of the Arsenal squad.
Arsenal have never won UEFA Champions League and a win over Barcelona at Nou Camp would make them favourites for winning their first ever European competition.
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