Soccer: Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will take no part in the Emirates Cup this weekend, manager Arsene Wenger confirmed this afternoon.
Barcelona are looking to bring the World Cup winner back to the Nou Camp, but Arsenal remain determined to hold out for a €45million fee.
Fabregas has not featured in any of Arsenal’s pre-season games, with the club saying he needs to work on his match fitness following a troublesome hamstring.
Speaking at this afternoon’s press conference ahead of the Emirates Cup, Wenger said: “He is not settled, with his injury and his situation. That has to be sorted out soon.”
Wenger’s options in midfield have also been hit after it was confirmed Abou Diaby has undergone an ankle operation and will be out of action for up to 10 weeks.
The France international was troubled by the joint towards the end of last season and it forced him out of the pre-season tour of Asia and the club’s training camp in Germany.
Diaby is likely to be sidelined until September, meaning he will miss the Premier League games against Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as the Champions League play-off.
“Abou had ankle surgery during the break,” said Wenger. “Normally he should be back eight to 10 weeks after his surgery, which means the end of August.”
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