Arsene Wenger won't use Fabregas loss as an excuse

Published on Monday 8 March 2010 22:05

ARSENE Wenger maintains Arsenal cannot use the absence of injured captain Cesc Fabregas as an excuse for failure in tonight's crunch Champions League clash with Porto at Emirates Stadium.

The influential Spain international suffered a recurrence of a hamstring problem during the 3-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Burnley on Saturday, limping off after he had fired the Gunners ahead.

Wenger accepts the loss of Arsenal's talisman – who has an outside chance of returning for the trip to Hull on Saturday – is a big blow. However, he insists his side have the quality to nevertheless secure their place in the quarter-finals by overturning a 2-1 deficit from the first leg.

"Cesc has a hamstring problem and we could not even take a gamble with him," said Wenger.

"I was hoping he would recover after the Burnley game because we were cautious with him.

"We don't know how long he will be out. He is having a scan and we are convinced it will only be a small time, and he has a small chance of getting back for next weekend against Hull."

Wenger, though, maintained: "Ideally we wanted him to be there, but we want to qualify and the absence of Cesc is no excuse at all. We have enough players and a strong enough squad to get round that and have enough chances to qualify."

With Fabregas out, France international Samir Nasri could move into the centre of midfield, alongside Alex Song as

Arsenal seek to overturn a first-leg deficit in European competition for the first time since the Uefa Cup tie against Hajduk Split during the 1977-78 season.

Wenger, though, maintains tonight will be different. "This time, we have scored," said the Arsenal manager.

"When you lose 1-0 away from home it is a difficult game because when you start the next game you know it is almost over because you have to score two or three goals to qualify.

"This time it is different – if we score one and do not concede then we will qualify."