Cesc accepts cup final KO

Fabregas ready to watch from the sidelines

By Graeme Bailey - Follow me on Twitter @graemebailey    Last updated: 26th February 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cesc accepts cup final KO

Fabregas: Ruled out

It's hugely disappointing. Maybe my heart was ruling my head when I felt I might play. Now, reluctantly, I must accept I cannot.

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Arsenal captain Cesc Fabrgeas has accepted that he will not be taking any part in Sunday's Carling Cup final.

Arsene Wenger stated earlier this week that the hamstring injury Fabregas picked up against Stoke City in midweek was enough to prevent him playing at Wembley.

But Fabregas insisted that he would wait until Sunday and up until kick-off before ruling himself out.

However, the Spanish star has now conceded that his cup final dream is over and he will not be facing Birmingham at Wembley.

"It's hugely disappointing. Maybe my heart was ruling my head when I felt I might play. Now, reluctantly, I must accept I cannot," said a gutted Fabregas.

"Even on Friday morning I had hoped to be involved, even if it was on the bench.

"But the boss, Arsene Wenger, is right and the most important thing is to make sure I get fit as quickly as possible to help Arsenal for the rest of the season.

"Let's hope Arsenal could also be playing in the FA Cup and Champions League finals at Wembley. It could be a once-in-a-liftime season.

"So while it is agonising I can't be with the lads on the pitch on Sunday, I'll be working hard to ensure I am part of the whole adventure."

Importance

Fabregas' disappointment at not playing has underlined how importantly Arsenal are taking the game.

"Tomorrow's Carling Cup final is going to be such an important game in terms of the whole squad's confidence for the rest of the season," he said in his Sun column.

"We are still involved heavily in the race for four major trophies.

"I am obviously disappointed to be missing tomorrow's game - but even though I won't be on the pitch I will be kicking every ball from the stands.

"It was touching for our keeper Wojciech Szczesny to say he would like me to lift the trophy if we win.

"The boss has also said the boys should go out and win the cup for me because I cannot play. That shows the spirit we have at Arsenal in the dressing room.

"But really, I would like them all to go out and win the Carling Cup for the club and for the supporters. They are the ones who have stuck by us and waited a long time for the chance to win a trophy.

"The Arsenal fans still sing for us and travel to games in great numbers wherever we play to give us the backing that can turn a draw into victory. They don't care who the opposition is, they support us all the time and so for them it would be really magical to see Robin van Persie lift the Carling Cup.

"Like the fans, Arsene Wenger treats every game the same whether we are playing Birmingham or Barcelona. And I really hope to be fit for the second one!"

No celebrations

The Arsenal skipper admits that even if they win at Wembley, the hectic fixture schedule, as the club battle for three other trophies, means they will not be able to celebrate.

He said: "The games are coming so fast at the moment - almost every three days, which means hardly any time to relax or to see our friends and families. We are spending a lot of time in hotels. After tomorrow we play Leyton Orient in the FA Cup and then Barcelona next week.

"It means even if we beat Birmingham there is no time to celebrate. If the boss orders training on Monday, so be it.

"Now is not the time to party or to be tired. There will hopefully be plenty of time to celebrate in the summer - for now we have to stay completely focused.

"Nothing has been won yet and nothing has been achieved. And that is why the boss' plan to stick to the same routine regardless is the best thing possible for our preparation.

"He doesn't put pressure on young players who have come into the first team, that's what we like. He just wants us to play the way we are used to and that is very good for the team as a unit.

"A final is a special day but you just have to be focused to give 100 per cent. I am sure the boss will find a way to make everything work.

"When you step out on the pitch you forget about it being a final. And you either want to win that final or get three points - it's exactly the same.

"I don't like to get too far ahead. We are doing well in the Premier League, have a replay in the FA Cup and a Champions League second leg at Barcelona.

"There's still a long way to go and we have to just think about this next game which will be very difficult because Birmingham are playing very well.

"This is the first step along the way for this team - hopefully it will be the first trophy and that will make it a big step. But it is still one step at a time."

Comments (32)

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Ay Ay (Arsenal fan) says...

Kenneth, if Fabregas uses the termonolgy you describe per say he says " Us are the best" it would be grammatically inaccurate! There is know difference in the wording he uses and it seems you are just being picky to try and provide false evidence of a very strong commitment to arsenal. If you pardon the pun

Posted 18:28 26th February 2011

James Omobojes (Arsenal fan) says...

we are going to miss his part and i have confidence in the rest member of the squad

Posted 17:18 26th February 2011

Tom Bye (Arsenal fan) says...

Fab your an arsenal legend, we will win the trophy for you tomoz as your our captain and deserve a medal just for all you have done for this club. All our fans just want you to acknowledge how important you are to our club and how u can lead us to further success. FAB 4 ARSENAL!

Posted 16:24 26th February 2011

Tochuwu Igbokwe (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm sorry 4 our capt cesc fabregas but let him bear in mind dat he must lift one trophy this season

Posted 15:33 26th February 2011

Tochuwu Igbokwe (Arsenal fan) says...

I'm sorry 4 our capt cesc fabregas but let him bear in mind dat he must lift one trophy this season

Posted 15:27 26th February 2011

Robert Cook (Birmingham City fan) says...

At least Webger can't blame Martin Taylor for Fabrigas' injury He is sure to bring it up again sometime!

Posted 15:27 26th February 2011

Malish Godfreyma (Arsenal fan) says...

cesc is good in brillant passes but jack and denilson will provide us b'se we have big games like barcelona and leyton in the fa cup wish him quick recorvery good times.

Posted 15:25 26th February 2011

Michael paul Wilson (Manchester United fan) says...

Cesc only found out he is definitley not playing in the final by checking the AFC website - wenger was in a board meeting and was too 'busy' to tell him personally - absolutely shocking trewatment for the club captain and talisman , wenger has apologised but I bet Cesc wont ever forget that insult. - gunners fans - google it , see if its true , its is true.

Posted 14:54 26th February 2011

Shane Heron (Manchester United fan) says...

what? , fabregas is the 2nd best midfielder in europe?, your having a laugh mate. i agree fabregas is one of the best but not 2nd best. arsenal will go another few years without a trophy lol. now if we look to the future then we will see paul pogba as the best midfielder in the world, glory glory man united.

Posted 14:52 26th February 2011

V Kash (Manchester United fan) says...

Even without Cesc Arsenal should have the quality to win this hands down. Wenger made the right decision to leave him out considering that you're still in it with PL, CL and FA, which are all far more important!

Posted 14:45 26th February 2011

bilal Ahmen (Arsenal fan) says...

what fabregas said is true but here deserves to play.Also if we are playing Birmingham you never under estimate your opponent. If we win don't get overjoyed because we have other targets aswell and difficult games coming up

Posted 14:20 26th February 2011

Cesc Brian (Arsenal fan) says...

WILL Arsenal survive the final without Fab. and welcote

Posted 14:18 26th February 2011

Sean Fallon (Arsenal fan) says...

well fabregas is a true captain i think hes the best and i think the tema win tmro they just have to get the feeling of winnin a throphy and they will wanta win more come on u gunners

Posted 13:55 26th February 2011

Ntanda Bashir (Arsenal fan) says...

MISS YOU FAB EL -CAPTAIN

Posted 13:28 26th February 2011

Sarvajeet Bodas (Arsenal fan) says...

We are going for all four trophies. Lets hope cesc can play next game.

Posted 12:58 26th February 2011

Steve Hebben says...

I have only just moved to Bognor Regis, I used to be a Season Ticket holder at The Emirates. I just want to say 'well done' to Cesc for putting the Arsenal team first. Hopefully, there will be lots more oppertunities for him to captain a trophy-winning side.

Posted 11:56 26th February 2011

Ricky Thompson (Liverpool fan) says...

You have actually got to feel sorry for the guy leads aresnal through what seems to be a succesful looking season and 1st chance at silverware he gets injured thats really unlucky, hope he gets his chance of lifting trophy on field soon.

Posted 11:52 26th February 2011

Jhnsn Akinlosotu (Arsenal fan) says...

Fabregas d 2nd Best midfieder in Europe

Posted 11:51 26th February 2011

Kenneth Price (Arsenal fan) says...

Sadly I think this is Cesc's last season with us so lets make it great one. You can tell by the way he refers to the team as Arsenal not 'us' or 'we'. When your heart is at a club you refer to the team as 'us' or 'we' not by the clubs name.

Posted 11:47 26th February 2011

Barry O'reilly (Arsenal fan) says...

Best of luck to all associated with Arsenal Football club. Fabregas is truly a fantastic sportsman and captain. Hopefully this will be the first of many finals for Arsenal in which Fabregas can captain. Van Persie will also do a great job for us as captain, it's great to possess another great leader. Come on you gunners. Hope to see both Van Persie and Fabregas lift the trophy on Sunday

Posted 11:35 26th February 2011
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