Fabregas facing anxious wait

01 April 2010 09:28

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas hopes his worst fears will not be confirmed on Thursday as Arsenal assess the extent of his latest injury - which could end both the Spaniard's season and World Cup hopes.

The Gunners skipper had been a doubt for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first-leg against Barcelona, which ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw , after suffering severe bruising to his knee and leg at Birmingham and - after coming through a fitness test in the warm-up - he lead his side in their comeback but was bundled over by Carles Puyol and suffered the latest problem.

"I am not good," said Fabregas, who left Emirates Stadium on crutches. "We have to wait (for the scans), but I hope I can wear the Arsenal shirt again this season."

- Barry the Pro on Fabregas
- Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona

He added: "I fear the worst, which is that I have broken something.

"I do not think it is going to be good news, but still I hope there will be."

Fabregas revealed: "When I took the penalty, I was quite strong, but after, when I went to get the ball, I could not walk any more. It is the fibula. I think I put my leg between Puyol's when I was fouled, and kicked it."

Fabregas maintained it had not been a gamble to pick him.

"Until the penalty, I was feeling quite good," the Arsenal captain said. "It has been an amazing experience and I will remember it for the rest of my life."

Arsenal also lost defender William Gallas to a reoccurrence of his calf problem in what was a first appearance since early February, and manager Arsene Wenger believes the veteran centre-back, who is out of contract in the summer, could now struggle to recover this season.

Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin, meanwhile, is a doubt for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash against Wolves after limping off midway through the first half with a calf injury.

Source: PA