Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Cesc set for long absence

23 Dec 2008 - 08:27:04

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Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is reportedly set for a three-month spell on the sidelines with knee ligament damage.

Fabregas limped out of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium following a strong tackle from Spain international team-mate Xabi Alonso.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger initially suggested his captain would be absent for no more than three weeks with minor medial knee ligament damage.

However, reports claim that scans have uncovered more serious damage and that the 21-year-old midfielder now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"He has been told he will not be available until the end of March, which means he will miss the next round of the Champions League and a number of crucial Premier League matches," a club source is reported as telling The Sun.

Immediately after the match, Wenger had claimed: "It's difficult to assess, it could be one week or three weeks.

"Of course it is a blow, you don't want to lose a player like that, but we have to cope with it."