Gunners suffer major blow (From Haringey Independent)

Gunners suffer major blow

4:46pm Tuesday 23rd December 2008

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ARSENAL skipper Cesc Fabregas has been ruled out for four months with his knee injury - and boss Arsene Wenger admits it might prompt him to spend in the January transfer window.

Fabregas suffered a partial rupture to his medial ligament when he was tackled by Xabi Alonso during Sunday's draw with Liverpool and may be out until the final month of the Barclays Premier League season.

"The news is not good," Wenger said. "It will take three to four months, we count four. He will be working hard to come back earlier but I count four months."

Wenger has been linked with a move for Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin but he has not confirmed any interest to Zenit St Petersburg.

He did however, suggest Fabregas' injury makes it more likely he will be active when the transfer window opens next month.

"It is more likely but we also have internal solutions and we are not desperate," Wenger said.

Wenger is yet to decide who will take the captain's armband, with goalkeeper Manuel Almunia taking over when William Gallas was stripped of the captaincy and Fabregas was serving a suspension.

"We will miss him, of course, but how much is difficult to say," Wenger added.

"We have to find a way and we want to find a way to compensate the fact that he is not on the pitch to give everyone a bit more.

"I'm sure we can deal with it. When he comes back he can help us get over the line in the final months. I believe we are able to do it."

© Press Association 2008

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