Cesc's absence not an excuse, says Arsenal coach Wenger

Updated on: 09 March,2010 07:37 AM IST |
Agencies |

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal cannot use the absence of injured captain Cesc Fabregas as an excuse for failure in tonight's crunch Champions League clash with Porto at the Emirates Stadium

Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal cannot use the absence of injured captain Cesc Fabregas as an excuse for failure in tonight's crunch Champions League clash with Porto at the Emirates Stadium.

The influential Spain international suffered a recurrence of a hamstring problem during the 3-1 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 on Saturday -- is a big blow.

"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 today and we are convinced it will only be a small time, and he has a small chance of getting back for next weekend against Hull, but to play him again
(tomorrow) would mean significant damage."

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ROME: Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal promised goals to see off unpredictable Fiorentina when the two sides meet for a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in Florence on Tuesday.
Going into the last 16 second-leg match at the Artemio Franchi stadium 2-1 up thanks to Miroslav Klose's controversial last-minute winner in Germany, the Dutchman was in bullish mood.

"I've always coached strong sides so we naturally try to dominate possession," he said.

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