Arsenal can see off Porto says Wenger after losing Fabregas
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 City on Saturday – is a big blow.
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Hide AdHowever, the Gunners' manager 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 (yesterday) and we are convinced it will only be a small time out, and he has a small chance of getting back for next weekend against Hull, but to play him again (tonight) would mean significant damage."
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Hide AdWenger added: "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 Cameroon defensive midfielder Alex Song, whose domestic two-match ban does not apply in Europe.
Wes Brown's suspected broken metatarsal sustained at Wolves has added to Manchester United's injury woes ahead of
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Hide AdAC Milan's visit to Old Trafford in the Champions League tomorrow.
The timing is bad for United with Wayne Rooney doubtful for the Milan game – which United go into leading 3-2 – after hurting his knee on England duty last week and Michael Owen out for the season. Anderson (knee), Ryan Giggs (arm) and John O'Shea (leg) are also out while Jonny Evans missed the Wolves game.
United have yet to overcome Milan in the Champions League with the Italians always emerging as victors from the two-legged ties, most recently in 2007.