Arsene Wenger has confirmed Cesc Fabregas will not play when Arsenal take on Porto in the Champions League (Arsenal 4/7, Porto 4/1, draw 13/5 90 Minutes) on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners boss had hoped the Spanish star would be able to feature in the game as his side aim to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit at the Emirates Stadium.

However Wenger revealed that the recurrence of the hamstring injury which Fabregas picked up against Burnley on Saturday will keep him out against the Portuguese side as he does not want to risk making the problem worse for the Premier League (Arsenal 13/5 Premier League Outright) push.

“Cesc has a hamstring problem and we could not even take a gamble with him,” said Wenger. “I was hoping he would recover after the Burnley game because we were cautious with him.

“We don’t know how long he will be out. He is having a scan today and we are convinced it will only be a small time, and he has a small chance of getting back for next weekend against Hull, but to play him again would mean significant damage.”

Meanwhile Alex Song is available after serving a two-match ban while midfield duo Andrey Arshavin and Abou Diaby, who came off the bench at the weekend, could start.

William Gallas is again expected to miss out with a calf injury.

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