Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas in line to return against Chelsea

28 September 2010 08:46
Arsene Wenger is hopeful Cesc Fabregas can return to the Arsenal side for the crunch clash against Chelsea on Sunday. [LNB]The Gunners captain sat out Saturday's horror defeat by West Brom at the Emirates having limped off in the first half of last weekend's draw at Sunderland with a hamstring injury.[LNB]Fabregas' leadership, guile and composure on the ball was sorely missed as Arsenal let five points slip in the pursuit of a first Barclays Premier League title since 2004.[LNB] Captain fantastic: Cesc Fabregas scored three goals in two games before injury struck[LNB]Sidelined: Fabregas suffered a hamstring injury against Sunderland 10 days ago[LNB]His manager has completely ruled the Spaniard out of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Belgrade, asking him instead to stay behind in London and step up his rehabilitation. [LNB]'Cesc for Partizan is impossible,' Wenger said. 'But he has started to run so we have to monitor his progress in the week and there is a little hope there he will be available [for Sunday].'[LNB]Fabregas was left out of Arsenal's opening day draw with Liverpool due to his World Cup exploits but played a pivotal role in victories over Bolton and Braga, before grabbing the goal in the game against Sunderland. [LNB]The Gunners have also travelled to Serbia without goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and defender Thomas Vermaelen, but Kieran Gibbs has joined up with squad. [LNB] Fabregas vows to be fighting fit for Arsenal's trip to title rivals ChelseaPartizan skipper Mladen Krstajic tells Arsenal: Our Gravediggers will seal your Champions League fate Arsenal 2 West Brom 3: Gunners labour in leadership battle with no CescARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail