Soccer: Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas wasn't part of the 19-man squad which travelled to Portugal ahead of Saturday's pre-season friendly against Benfica. The Spaniard has been the subject of speculation all summer linking him with a return to Barcelona, and has not featured for the Gunners in any of their pre-season matches to date.
Arsenal listed their full 19-man party which flew out from the UK on Friday evening and the 24-year-old was conspicuous by his absence.
Fabregas was all smiles as he joined in with the rest of the Gunners squad for training at London Colney on Friday morning ahead of the flight to Portugal, but was not on the list of players the Gunners confirmed as having actually made the trip.
Barcelona want to bring their former trainee back to the Nou Camp, but will have to significantly up a £27million offer for Arsenal to cash in on their captain.
However, should Fabregas - who has, officially at least, been troubled by a hamstring problem - feature against Udinese in the Champions League play-offs, then he would be ineligible to play in the competition for the defending champions should a move go through ahead of the transfer deadline.
The first leg of the Udinese tie will be played at the Emirates Stadium on August 16.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be in need of all the help he can muster, serving a one-match touchline ban himself following UEFA disciplinary action in the wake of his rant against Swiss referee Massimo Busacca in last season's away defeat to Barcelona.
Midfielder Samir Nasri was also sanctioned by UEFA for his outburst at Busacca, and will not be available, and nor will striker Robin van Persie, whose suspension for a controversial sending-off was carried over into Arsenal's next Champions League tie.
While Arsenal were spared a long-haul trip to eastern Europe in Friday's draw, the timing of the play-off tie will see the Gunners face a testing schedule which also includes Barclays Premier League fixtures at Newcastle and Manchester United, with Liverpool set to come to north London on August 20.
Although Fabregas was expected to be among the travelling squad, neither Jack Wilshere nor Theo Walcott trained with the rest of the group on Friday morning because of ankle problems, which could also impact on their involvement in next week's England friendly against Holland at Wembley.
Contract rebel Nasri was another absentee, as he nurses his own minor ankle complaint.
Wenger, meanwhile, continues to try to strengthen the squad, but has so far been frustrated in his moves for Valencia winger Juan Mata, along with English defensive duo Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka.
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