Fabregas to miss Arsenal's match against Porto

Fabregas to miss Arsenal's match against Porto

Published Mar. 8, 2010 9:32 a.m. ET

Arsenal will have to cope without injured captain Cesc Fabregas on Tuesday when it goes for the win it needs against FC Porto to progress to the Champions League quarterfinals.

The Spain midfielder was ruled out after missing training Monday, two days after limping out of a 3-1 Premier League win over Burnley with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

Fabregas has scored and set up more goals than any other Arsenal player this season, so the Gunners may struggle to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit.

"We cannot even take a gamble, so he is not available," manager Arsene Wenger said.

Fabregas scored his 17th goal of the season in the Gunners' fourth straight Premier League win before departing in the 39th minute.

Abou Diaby replaced Fabregas on Saturday and could stand in if his captain is not able to play.

Veteran defender Sol Campbell, who scored Arsenal's goal in Portugal two weeks ago, did train freely Monday after recovering from a groin problem.

The former England international is again set to play, with central defender William Gallas ruled out because of injury.

Porto manager Jesualdo Ferreira is expecting a very tight match, especially because of Arsenal's away goal.

"We know the goal that they scored is very important," he told reporters at Emirates Stadium on Monday night. "We know we have to fight in this match to qualify.

"We know that this will be a very difficult match, but we have the weapons to compete with Arsenal."

Manuel Almunia is back in action and should start in goal ahead of Lukasz Fabianski, whose error led to Porto's opening goal. Fabianski also picked up Campbell's pass for the free kick that led to the second-half winner.

Porto playmaker Ruben Micael said he has fully recovered from a shoulder injury and that Ferreira would make a final decision on his fitness Tuesday. He also said that the absence of Fabregas won't necessarily make it an easier game for Porto.

"I think it can make it more difficult," Micael said. "Fabregas holds the ball a lot. We will find an Arsenal who will start strong and try to score in the first minute and we will also try to score a goal."

Cameroon midfielder Alex Song was suspended against Burnley but is available to play in Europe, while Andrei Arshavin was a substitute at the weekend and could play after recovering from injury.

Porto has lost its last six matches in London and sustained its heaviest Champions League defeat early last season at Emirates Stadium. Ferreira wasn't dismayed by that record.

"There is always a first time in our life for everything," he said.

But neither of the Gunners' scorers in that 4-0 group-stage win will be playing Tuesday.

Emmanuel Adebayor has left the club and Robin van Persie has not played since November because of injury.

Porto slipped 11 points behind Benfica in the Portuguese championship with a 2-2 draw against visiting Olhanense at the weekend.

Associated Press writer Frank Griffiths contributed to this report.

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