Football: Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas to miss Carling Cup final due to hamstring injury

Published: 25 February, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

Injured Cesc to miss final 

CESC Fabregas’s dream of leading his team out in the Carling Cup final on Sunday is over.

The Arsenal captain has succumbed to a hamstring injury ahead of the Wembley clash against Birmingham City. He strained it just 14 minutes into the game against Stoke in the Premier League on Wednesday. 

Fabregas admitted on his ­official Twitter page earlier in the week he was unsure whether he would be fit in time.

But, desperate to play, he insisted he would do everything within his power to help the Gunners win their first silverware in six years. 

“I don’t know if I’ll make Sunday or not, but all I know is that from this moment to Sunday I won’t sleep if it’s necessary,” said the 23-year-old.

“I’ve waited too long to captain a final for Arsenal and I won’t give up till the last second.”

The final is Arsenal’s best chance of winning a trophy for the first time since they lifted the FA Cup back in 2005. Arsene Wenger must try and claim it without his inspirational captain.

With a vital second-leg away against Barcelona looming in the Champions League, the Gunners boss will be worried about how long he will be without him.

Theo Walcott is also definitely out of Sunday’s final after picking up an ankle injury during the 1-0 win over Stoke when he tangled with Dean Whitehead. 

Striker Robin van Persie and defender Laurent Koscielny are also facing a race against time to prove their fitness.    

On the plus side, Wednesday’s win over Stoke saw Arsenal move to within a point of leaders Manchester United. 

Sebastien Squillaci proved the unlikely hero as he headed home Nicklas Bendtner’s cross.