Fabregas Out for 4 Months

James Deuce · 12-23-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will be out of action for as long as four months because of medial ligament damage to his right knee.

Manager Arsene Wenger said Tuesday that the Spain midfielder had a partially ruptured ligament and will be on the sidelines for at least three months.

"The news is not good," Wenger said. "He will be working hard to come back earlier but I count four months."

That will rule him out of Arsenal's Champions League matches against AS Roma on Feb. 24 and March 11, and further hit his team's attempts to haul itself back into contention for the title.

"We will miss him, of course, but how much is difficult to say," Wenger said. "We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more."

Wenger may now consider signing new players during the January transfer window to fill the gap left in Arsenal's midfield.

"It is more likely but we also have internal solutions and we are not desperate," Wenger said.

Fabregas hobbled out of Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Liverpool, which left Arsenal eight points off the lead and in fifth place, following a tackle by Xabi Alonso at the end of the first half.

Wenger said the tackle was fair and he did not blame Alonso.

Arsenal has struggled badly this season with several key players on the sidelines. Tomas Rosicky has not played for a year because of a hamstring injury, Theo Walcott is out with a dislocated shoulder, and Eduardo da Silva has only just returned to the reserve team after 10 months out with a broken ankle.

William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy after publicly criticizing his teammates' attitude and the team appears to be missing Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb, who left during the offseason.

Source: Fox Sports

I really hope Arsene buys someone in January that is above that age of 18 and has some credentials. Huge blow for Arsenal, why does this always happen? :/

God · 12-23-2008, 01:06 PM

Rumors going around about Elano on a six month loan with option to buy at the end of the season. He's expieranced in the Premier League and knows how to score from distance. Just thinking the amount of times we have the ball just outside the box but we always keep passing, Elano wouldnt hold back from taking a couple of them on. Plus, when van Persie gets injured again we'll need someone with a good free kick.

Bigpapa42 · 12-23-2008, 02:27 PM

Possibly the Gunners most irreplacable player. That hurts. Makes a move in January even more necessary. Though with Wenger, who knows...

Dr. Proxy · 12-24-2008, 07:26 AM

Wow, what a blow for Arsenal, I wonder who will replace him?

James Deuce · 12-24-2008, 10:33 AM

Since he was captain, I think Adabyor (sp) should be named the captain.

God · 12-24-2008, 10:46 AM

Almunia will get it most likely.

James Deuce · 12-24-2008, 11:27 AM

I don't think he should get it...the only people that should get it are Adabeyor, Fabregas, Toure and maybe Gallas when he gets his head out of his ass.

God · 12-24-2008, 11:29 AM

Toure cant even get into the team anymore. Ade is suspended for nearly touching a Liverpool player on Sunday. Gallas isnt even an option imo. van Persie maybe, but otherwise it has to be Almunia.