Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas was going to wait until the last possible moment before deciding on his fitness for the Carling Cup final, but now accepts he will not be playing on Sunday. Gunner boss Arsene Wenger stated earlier this week that the hamstring injury Fabregas picked up against Stoke in midweek was enough to stop him playing 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 disappointed 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-lifetime 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."
Fabregas admits the game is so important as a marker for the remainder of the season.
"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!"
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