Arsene Wenger wary of Cesc Fabregas' hamstring problem
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said he is constantly monitoring the fitness of his team's captain, Cesc Fabregas, in order to prevent another spell on the sidelines for the Spaniard.
The team's influential midfielder has started all of Arsenal's last five league games, despite feeling some symptoms of the hamstring problem that ruled him out earlier this season.
Fabregas turned in a lively performance against Tottenham on Saturday, when Arsenal suffered a 3–2 defeat after going two goals clear of their rivals in the first half. Aside from conceding a penalty with a needless handball, Fabregas made several positive
contributions in attack.
"It is getting better," Wenger told reporters of his midfielder's injury problems, which have yet to subside completely. "He was out for a while and had a recurrence of his hamstring problem, then it gets in your head. When it gets in your head, it is difficult
to play free of your mind. I feel it is getting better in every match, from game to game he becomes stronger. On Saturday against Tottenham, he has created three great goal chances, so we are getting back to the normal Cesc."
It remains to be seen whether Fabregas, who came off the bench during Spain's 4–0 loss to Portugal on 17 November, will start for Arsenal as the team travels to face Portuguese side SC Braga in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Wenger admitted to keeping a close eye on the Spaniard's fitness, careful not to aggravate the injury, which could land a significant blow to Arsenal's season if worsened.
"Sometimes after the game he has a little recurrence, but at the moment I do not want to take a massive gamble. We cannot afford to lose him, so I check every morning of the game how he is and we monitor him quite well, but it is on the way up."
After the trip to Portugal, Arsenal travel to face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday 27 November.
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