Fa Barclaycard Premiership News Update

Fa Barclaycard Premiership News
( 24 December 2008 )

English Premiership football News

Fabregas faces four-month lay-off
Cesc Fabregas Arsenal captain has been ruled out for up to four months after the breakdown of knee ligaments in Sunday Fa Barclaycard Premiership draw with Liverpool.

21 years, the Spanish midfielder suffered the injury during a 50-50 challenge with compatriot Xabi Alonso.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admitted he could now make an effort for new players in the January transfer window.

"It is more likely, but we also have internal solutions and we are not desperate," said Wenger.

"But we also have a small team that we must be realistic."

Fabregas blocked off the pitch in obvious discomfort after embarking on the challenge with Alonso at full stretch, just before half-time in the 1-1 draw at Emirates Stadium.

"The news is not good. It will take three to four months, we have four hours," added Wenger.

"We will work hard to return earlier, but I count four months."

Wenger if the assessment is correct, Fabregas will be away until the end of April, and miss all but the last five or six Arsenal's Fa Barclaycard Premiership.

The Gunners are eight points of leaders Liverpool in fifth place and facing a meeting with the third placed Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Fabregas will be the Champions League quarter-final, where Arsenal is past Roma in the last 16 stage.

"He will be missed, of course, but how much is difficult to say," added Wenger.

"We must find a way and we want to find a way to compensate for the fact that it is not on the ground to give everyone a little more. I'm sure we can cope with it.

"When he returned, he can help us to go on line in recent months. I believe we are able to do it. "

The Gunners are already without Tomas Rosicky circles and Theo Walcott, who are not into the new year.

Fabregas's injury leaves Wenger short of options and experience with midfielder Alex Song, Abou Diaby, Denilson and Aaron Ramsey likely to contest the position left by the skipper.

Wenger is yet to decide who will take the captain armband Fabregas.

The goalkeeper Manuel Almunia took over when William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy and Fabregas has served a suspension.
by bbcnews.