Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger To Wait Until Last Minute To Decide Whether Cesc Fabregas & Manuel Almunia Will Face Chelsea

Posted Friday, October 01, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared he will give Cesc Fabregas and Manuel Almunia until Saturday to prove they're fit for Chelsea clash.

Fabregas, 23, has been missing for a fortnight since the game against Sunderland with a hamstring strain, while the 33-year-old goalkeeper was absent with an injured elbow against Partizan Belgrade in midweek.

Speaking to the Gunners' official website, the French supremo wanted to give the duo plenty of time to prove their availability for the Sunday meeting.

“I don’t know [about Fabregas],” said Wenger. “It looks a 50:50 but a 50:50 balancing on the negative side. I will find out on Saturday morning.”

About Almunia, he added: “That one is even more difficult. He has not been in a regular training session. So I will see.

“Vermaelen – no,” Wenger continued. “Abou Diaby has an 80 per cent chance to be involved. I am not sure if he will be completely 100 per cent but it is 100 per cent he will be in the squad.

“Nicklas Bendtner (groin) should be available after the international break and Aaron Ramsey (leg) is progressing very well.”