Cesc may play but he won’t be at his best


Cesc Fabregas is likely to start the crucial Champions League qualifier against Twente on Wednesday despite having just 84 minutes of pre-season action under his belt.

[Linked Image]


The midfielder’s successful summer with Spain meant he only started training on July 29. As a result, his first run-out came on Friday when he played against Ajax in the Amsterdam Tournament.

Arsenal return to Holland this week for a banana skin of a tie against Steve McLaren’s side. Fabregas will probably play.

“We have to make that decision, but I believe [he will play] yes,” said Wenger. “He has worked very hard since he has come back.

“You cannot say he will be at his best, but he will be fit enough because his reaction on Saturday after the game did not seem too bad.”

With Gilberto and Mathieu Flamini having left over the summer, Fabregas is the senior central midfielder at the Club. Therefore his inclusion at Twente could be crucial.

“At 21 he already has a lot of experience and he is an intelligent boy,” said Wenger.
“But I would not like to put too much pressure on him.

“We know we have every single player in his area is very important. And now he has maybe more experience than the others now.

“To win big trophies [like Euro 2008] makes you more confident and gives you something you can pass on to the team around you.”