Fabregas and Walcott ready to return for Shakhtar test
ARSENAL vs SHAKHTAR DONETSK
Sky Sports 2, kick-off 7:30pm
ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger will make a late decision on whether to throw captain Cesc Fabregas and winger Theo Walcott back into action against Shakhtar Donetsk tonight.
Fabregas and Walcott, who have been sidelined by injury for a month, both trained yesterday ahead of the Champions League fixture at Emirates Stadium.
“Cesc is available,” said Wenger. “He had a little setback but got over the hurdle and is ready to play at full fitness. I do not know yet whether I start him or not but he is available. It will be whether I take a gamble or not, because he has been out for a long time. I have to make up my mind [on Tuesday] but physically he is ready, fit and wanting to play. Theo has a toe problem. But his ankle is all right and he is in the squad.”
Shakhtar arrive in London second behind the Gunners in Group H, but only on goal difference after both teams started their campaigns with two wins. Among their ranks will be ex-Arsenal striker Eduardo, who left for Russia earlier this year after injury derailed his career in north London.
“I will be happy and sad to see Eduardo,” Wenger added. “I will be happy because he was always a fantastic boy with a fantastic mentality. I will also be sad because I worked very hard to get him and he left with the feeling he could not completely fulfil the promise of his first season.”