Fabregas ruled out of Chelsea clash; Almunia also missing

01 October 2010 13:30

Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea.

The 23-year-old midfielder was on Thursday left out of the Spain squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland and is not considered fit enough to lead the Gunners this weekend as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained almost two weeks ago.

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Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia also remains sidelined after missing the midweek Champions League win at Partizan Belgrade with an elbow injury, meaning Lukasz Fabianski is again set to deputise.

Manager Arsene Wenger also confirmed that left-back Kieran Gibbs will be out for two to three weeks with a calf injury which will also see the 21-year-old miss England Under-21s' European Championship play-off against Romania.

Wenger said: "Fabregas is not fit to play in this one and nor is Almunia.

"We lost Gibbs as well on Tuesday night with a calf problem and he is out of the England squad as well. He is out for two to three weeks."

Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles), Nicklas Bendtner (groin), Aaron Ramsey (leg), Theo Walcott and Robin van Persie (both ankle) are still out, but Abou Diaby returns to the squad after an ankle problem.

Source: PA