Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will miss Sunday's League Cup final against Birmingham because of a hamstring strain, adding to the Gunners' injury problems as they seek their first trophy since 2005.
The Spanish midfielder was hurt in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Stoke in the Premier League on Wednesday, leaving in the 14th minute.
''It is a very small injury but certainly Cesc will be out for Sunday,'' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. ''For how long I don't know, but definitely for Sunday. He is disappointed. We all feel sorry and sad for him. The only way we help him now is to win the cup as he contributed a lot in this competition.''
English winger Theo Walcott sprained an ankle against Stoke and will be sidelined for one-to-two weeks, Wenger said. Robin van Persie (hamstring) and Laurent Koscielny (back) are likely to be available for the game at Wembley, according to Wenger.
Fabregas also could miss the second leg of the Champions League second-round series against Barcelona on March 8. Arsenal won the first leg 2-1.
''It is very difficult to give a deadline,'' Wenger said.
Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and Thomas Vermaelen, two first-team regulars, have long-term injuries.
