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
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.
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