28 December,2009 08:02 AM IST | | PA Sport
Arsene Wenger felt he was right to gamble on the fitness of captain Cesc Fabregas after the Arsenal captain came off the bench to inspire his team to a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa which hauls the Gunners back into the Premier League title race.
The Spain midfielder had been out with a hamstring problem, but was called upon just before the hour and went on to break the deadlock at the Emirates Stadium with a superb free-kick, and then swept in a crucial second goal to wrap up the points during the closing stages ahead of Abou Diaby's stoppage-time strike.
However, Fabregas appeared to aggravate the problem as he dashed onto Theo Walcott's pass following a quick counter attack and was replaced soon afterwards by Aaron Ramsey.
Wenger said: "We do not know yet if it is a recurrence of the pull or just scar tissue. If it is scar tissue then it is a few days, but if it is a reoccurrence, then it is three weeks."
The Arsenal manager, though, maintained: "I feel that I did the right thing, and would do it again.
"I put him on the bench and I knew before the game that if it was really needed, I would put him on.
"Had we been 1-0 up I would not have done it, but at the end of the day you do what you think will win the game. Aston Villa are a team which makes you nervy because you can be dominant and lose the game.
