LONDON — Arsenal striker Robin van Persie was named Friday as the man who will lead Arsenal out at Wembley Stadium on Sunday after Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas was sidelined from the Carling Cup final.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the Dutchman as skipper for the final against Birmingham City and said Fabregas would miss one or two matches while recovering from a hamstring injury.
It left the Spanish star on course to return before the blockbuster trip to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
“He is sad and disappointed, of course,” Wenger said. “But it could have been worse. The injury is a very small one, and we have so many targets in front of us that it is important he is not out for longer.”
Fabregas sustained the injury during Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Stoke in the English Premier League (EPL) and was forced off within the opening quarter of the hour at the Emirates.
Wenger earlier confirmed England winger Theo Walcott would be out for “maybe one or two weeks” after he too was sidelined following an ankle injury picked up against Stoke.
Van Persie, Laurent Koscielny and Abou Diaby were all confirmed as available after missing the midweek EPL win.
