Fabregas WILL Miss Porto Clash

Arsenal have recieved a real blow this week announcing that captain Cesc Fabregas will miss tomorrow’s Champions League tie against Porto because of a hamstring injury he picked up against Burnley at the weekend.

The midfielder scored the opener in the 3-1 victory against the Clarets but was forced off in the 39th minute. He missed today’s training and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger revealed: “We cannot take a gamble, so he is not available.” Arsenal need to turn around a 2-1 deficit when they host Porto in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

Fabregas,  was sidelined for three weeks after aggravating the same hamstring in December against Aston Villa – a game in which he produced a 27-minute cameo appearance as a substitute and scored twice before limping off.
If the Spanish international is sidelined for a lengthy period it could seriously damage Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League title, with the Gunners two points behind leaders Manchester United and level on points with Chelsea, who have a game in hand on their rivals.

Abou Diaby replaced Fabregas on Saturday and could stand in again tomorrow. More positive news for Arsenal is that veteran defender Sol Campbell did train today and looks likely to be fit to face the Portuguese side following a groin problem. The former England international is in line to play because William Gallas has been ruled out because of a calf injury.

The Gunners also have goalkeeper Manuel Almunia back after the Spaniard missed the away leg in Portugal. His replacement that night, Lukasz Fabianski, was at fault for Porto’s opening goal and also picked up Campbell’s pass for the free-kick that led to the home side’s second-half winner. Porto have lost their last six matches in London and suffered their heaviest Champions League defeat early last season at the hands of Arsenal at the Emirates, going down 4-0.

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.