Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas is set to spend the next four months on the sidelines after injuring his knee in Sunday's clash with Liverpool.

The Spanish sensation hobbled out of the game at half-time after coming off second best in a 50-50 challenge with compatriot Xabi Alonso, forcing Arsene Wenger to send on Abou Diaby for the remainder of the 1-1 draw.

It was confirmed shortly afterwards that the 21-year-old midfielder had ruptured the medial ligaments of his right knee, and he has been scheduled for a series of scans throughout the week.

Initial examinations have highlighted the severity of the injury, and the findings at this point are far from encouraging for Fabregas or the Gunners.
the 21-year-old has now been ruled unavailable for the Champions League knockout ties against Roma on February 24 and March 11, with his absence also set to put a considerable dent in Arsenal's Premier League title charge.

Manager Arsene Wenger told the press: "The news is not good. He will be working hard to come back earlier but I count four months.

"We will miss him, of course, but how much is difficult to say. We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more.''

The Gunners may raid the transfer market for a temporary solution to their midfield woes, with Wenger hinting at a January capture.

He concluded: "It is more likely but we also have internal solutions and we are not desperate."

Mike Maguire & Peter Staunton, Goal.com

 

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin coould be on his way to Arsenal in the January transfer window, according to a report in the British tabloid the Daily Mirror.

"We have given Andrei permission to negotiate," Zenit St Petersburg official Alexei Petrov is quoted as saying, sparking rumours that he is set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is thought to be a keen admirer of the 27-year-old's talents, but is reluctant to spend the fee asked for to acquire his services.

It is claimed that Zenit want around €21 million (£20m) for the 41-time-capped Russian international who has spent his entire career with the club, making more than 230 appearances.

With Arsenal short in midfield following the injury to Cesc Fabregas recently and Tomas Rosicky still on the treatment table, Wenger could finally be prepared to sanction a big transfer fee to land his man.

However, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid also known to be interested in the forward, Arsenal could face strong competition for his signature.

Ricky Brooks, Goal.com

 

I can't beleive how tight this guy is!

 

it would be quite a coup for arsenal to scoop up arshavin, he is a genuine top drawer playmaker and quite a talent in his own right. arsenal desperately need a player of his caliber to dictate the offense.

btw, like.no.other, thanks for making all these football threads...you have been a fantastic addition to this forum.

 

I'll believe it when I see it I've seen too many transfer rumors about Arsenal that never materialize

Thank you very much I'm glad you are enjoying my contribution

 

Yeah, I'm not sold on this Arshavin to Arsenal rumour either. He's currently on about $100k a week at Zenit. Arsenal would have to break their wage structure to bring him aboard and in the past they have been unwilling to do this with other proven players.

 

I watched the match and knew it was going to be bad. Cesc should have went into the tackle a little harder. This is the missing link in his armour why he hasn't become a top-class midfielder. He would be better off tackling like Scholes.

Wenger better have some tricks up his sleeve as it won't be easy to replace Cesc from within which was the biggest BS line from Wenger in recent times.