SOCCER ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:CESC FABREGAS will not make his comeback against Birmingham City at Emirates Stadium tomorrow, as Arsenal seek to improve on a disappointing Premier League run in the face of injury problems.
Although Nicklas Bendtner and Kieran Gibbs are fit and Theo Walcott has a small chance of playing, the manager, Arsene Wenger, will be without five players who could be considered as regulars.
Together with the captain Fabregas, who has not played since the 1-1 draw at Sunderland four weeks ago because of hamstring trouble, the goalkeeper Manuel Almunia remains out with an elbow injury; the defenders Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen will be sidelined for a further 10 days with thigh and achilles problems respectively; and the striker Robin van Persie, absent with ankle damage, is not expected to return until next month.
Wenger had rated Fabregas as “50-50” to feature against Chelsea two weekends ago. The Spaniard will now target Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
“Cesc is very, very short and unlikely to be involved on Saturday,” Wenger said. “He has a little chance for Tuesday. Sagna is 10 days, Vermaelen is 10 days, Almunia is a question of days but Van Persie looks to be a bit longer.”
Bendtner has not featured all season because of groin problems while Gibbs is available after a calf strain. Walcott, who hurt his ankle on England duty against Switzerland, is back in training.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have demonstrated their faith in the adage “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough” by signing an 11-year-old boy from the club who occupy the 90th rung on the professional game’s 92-club ladder.
For Michael Gyasi, a promising German-born striker who has spent a little over two years at Northampton Town’s centre of excellence, it is the stuff of dreams.
Gyasi first crossed Chelsea’s radar a year ago, when he travelled south to play for Northampton under-10s against their counterparts from the Chelsea academy.
After a further appearance against them, Chelsea’s recruitment staff asked whether Gyasi could come to train with them. He did so during the summer holidays and impressed to such a degree that the club set in motion moves to sign him.
Chelsea must pay compensation to Northampton for their development of the schoolboy, and it is believed that a down-payment of around €11,000 has been negotiated.
The football authorities prefer clubs to resolve such issues between themselves rather than resort to arbitration. Further payments would be due to Northampton if Gyasi becomes a scholar or turns professional.
“I think this is a trend that is going to happen,” Trevor Gould, the head of Northampton’s centre of excellence, said.
“When you are young, you learn most about football and Michael will now play against better teams and better players. I remember the game against Chelsea last year. I think Chelsea won something like 6-2 but I am sure that Michael got the two goals.
“He moved over from Germany with his parents about four years ago and he is very quick, skilful and strong, although he is not very big for his age. He is a great finisher. Chelsea have got somebody special.
“If he does well, we will be well rewarded. Chelsea have been magnificent and fair.”
Chelsea are likely to be without Frank Lampard for the Premier League visit to Aston Villa tomorrow.
The midfielder underwent successful hernia surgery at the end of August but he suffered a setback on his return to training, when he pulled another muscle in the area.
John Terry remains a doubt. The defender, who has a back problem, took part in light training yesterday and the manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has a decision to make on his fitness. Jeffrey Bruma, a young centre-half, should be available.
Chelsea are perplexed at the reports from Israel about Yossi Benayoun’s achilles tear. A scan taken at the club the day before he joined up with Israel showed no damage.
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