Cesc Fabregas will miss Chelsea clash

Cesc Fabregas is unlikely to be fit to face Chelsea on Sunday with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger unwilling to risk aggravating his skipper's hamstring injury. Publicly, Wenger has described Fabregas's chances as '50-50' but, with gambles on his fitness having proved costly in the past, the Arsenal manager is extremely wary of taking a chance with the midfielder despite the magnitude of the game. Fabregas was ruled out for the rest of the campaign after picking up a stress fracture to his shin in last season's 2-2 draw against Barcelona in the Champions League. Lost cause: Cesc Fabregas has failed to win his fight to face ChelseaBlow: Fabregas comes off in the draw with SunderlandThe Spain midfielder was rushed back for the encounter after pickingup an injury to the same leg in the previous game against Birmingham. Fabregas has already been omitted from the Spain squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Scotland and Lithuania. Wenger is also likely to be without Manuel Almunia who is strugglingfor fitness after injuring his elbow while saving a penalty in theshock 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich on Saturday. But, given the performance of Lukasz Fabianski against PartizanBelgrade in midweek, Wenger is sure to be less troubled by the absenceof Almunia than Fabregas. Discussing his injury problems in the run-up to Sunday's clash atStamford Bridge, Wenger said: 'I don't know [about Fabregas]. It looksa 50-50 but a 50-50 balancing on the negative side. I will find out onSaturday morning.' About Almunia, Wenger was less optimistic although Abou Diaby has achance of featuring: 'That one is even more difficult. He [Almunia] hasnot been in a regular training session. So I will see. 'Diaby has an 80 per cent chance to be involved. It is 100 per cent he will be in the squad.'  Ancelotti to take charge in Arsenal clash despite death of his fatherPartizan Belgrade 1 Arsenal 3: Stand-in keeper Lukasz is just Fab!ARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail