Arsène Wenger hopes to discover on Thursday whether Fábregas will be able to play after his captain was withdrawn early in the first half. With Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny – who were missing against Stoke – awaiting fitness tests on Friday the manager may have to field a team against Birmingham City at Wembley missing five frontline players, because Thomas Vermaelen is a long-term absentee.
After a victory that was sealed by Sébastien Squillaci's first-half header and took Arsenal to within a point of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League, Wenger said: "Walcott has an ankle sprain. For how long he is out, I cannot tell you. For Sunday, he is definitely out. Fábregas [has] a hamstring problem. We will assess that tomorrow. Tonight it is impossible to say how serious it is."
It would be a major setback to Arsenal to lose Walcott or Fábregas for an extended period as they enter a crucial sequence of fixtures. They hope to win their first trophy since 2005 on Sunday and among the games that follow over the next three weeks are a Champions League last-16 second leg at Barcelona, an FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient and a possible Cup quarter-final tie at Manchester United.
Fábregas's recent career has been blighted by hamstring troubles, which have already disrupted his season. He wrote on Twitter: "I dont know if I'll make Sunday or no, but all I know is that from this moment to Sunday 16:30 I won't sleep if it's necessary. I've waited too long to captain a final for Arsenal and I won't give up till the last second."
Wenger said: "It is of course a concern that he is injured but it can happen, unfortunately. He was very upset. I am as well. It is not his fault, it is not my fault, it is part of sport." Had it been a tackle that forced Fábregas off after 14 minutes? "No. It's strange that it happens so early in the game. We have to face it," Wenger said.
Regarding Walcott, whose pace was a threat before a second-half coming together with Dean Whitehead led to him being taken off on a stretcher, Wenger said: "I don't know what to answer [to how he is feeling]. He is disappointed of course."
When the teams met a year ago a Ryan Shawcross challenge on Aaron Ramsey broke the midfielder's leg and created bitter feeling between Wenger and Tony Pulis, the Stoke manager. Wenger had no complaints last night. "Overall the game was played in a good spirit. I cannot complain. It was committed with strong challenges but overall correct. I don't have an issue with Stoke or any aspect of their game. It is a team that you know that you have to prepare mentally before you go into this game as you won't take the points if you don't do that."
"Nobody likes to play against Stoke as they have a special way of playing the game but for me, tonight, they defended very intelligently for 90 minutes. They were very disciplined and denied us space. When we found a little bit of space, they quickly cut it off again and we could not take advantage. I was quite surprised how intelligent they were."
Wenger hailed how his team had overcome the early loss of Fábregas. "We have matured certainly as [we] can win tonight when we are less creative but with intelligence, braveness and calm. That is what has changed," he said. "One [or] two years ago when we were not on our top game we dropped points. Tonight the team realised that we must not make a mistake. We must give credit to the players."
Regarding the title race he said: "It was night when nobody else played [in the Premier League]. On a night like that, if you can take advantage, and take three points, [get] closer to the top, it means your team is really hungry for success."
Manchester United face Wigan Athletic on Saturday and then Chelsea next Tuesday in the league. Asked whether they are now under pressure Wenger said: "This is the period where everyone is under pressure. Chelsea is under pressure. Man United is under pressure. That is part of being in this position. Three months ago when we lost here against Newcastle who gave us chance to be in the top four? We have come back in a strong position and I am not complaining. I am happy to be in this position."
Source: Jamie Jackson, The Guardian on 23 Feb 11
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