Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fábregas came out of Monday’s training with a hamstring injury that will keep him out of action for up to two weeks.
In addition to missing Wednesday’s Champions League match against the Netherland’s FC Twente, the Gunners’ star midfielder will miss Arsenal’s Premiership opener Saturday against West Bromwich Albion.
Although it is possible he could return sooner, a two week time frame would also see the Spaniard miss Arsenal’s match at Fulham on August 23.
Even without Fábregas, Arsenal will be heavy favorites in all these matches thanks to a fortunate Champions League draw and arguably the easiest opening schedule in the Premiership, a lucky turn of events consider Fábregas is one of nine Gunners who are likely to miss the club’s first week of action.
Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo de Silva are still recovering from long-term injuries incurred last season. Abou Diaby and recent Portuguese signee Amaury Bischoff have also suffered injuries which will have them out for prolonged periods of time.
Celebrated acquisition Samir Nasri did not travel to the Netherlands due to a knee injury. Kolo Touré is suffered from a hip problem. Center back Philippe Senderos has a hamstring problem, and center back/midfielder Alexander Song is with the Cameroon team in Beijing.
All nine of these players are midfielders or defenders, leaving Arsene Wenger few tactical options when Arsenal takes the pitch on Wednesday.
Seventeen-year-old Aaron Ramsey will likely start in midfield, making his Arsenal competitive debut. He will play in the middle with 20-year-old Brazilian Denilson, with fellow teenager Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Eboue out wide.
At the back, the French trio of Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, and William Gallas will take their normal places, but with Senderos and Touré both likely unavailable, 21-year-old Johan Djourou, who spent most of last season on loan at Birmingham City, is likely to start.
Expect Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie to start up top with Manuel Alumnia in goal.
FC Twente finished fifth in last season’s Eredivisie but took the league’s second Champions League spot after winning the Dutch League’s playoff for the bid. The club is coached by former England coach Steve McClaren, who spent five seasons as coach at Middlesbrough before being named coach of the national team.
