Wenger: We can win without Cesc

ARSENE WENGER believes Arsenal have the strength in depth to cope without captain Cesc Fabregas and England winger Theo Walcott to lift the Carling Cup tomorrow — but urged his young squad not to play with the fear of defeat at Wembley.

The Gunners closed the gap on Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United to one point with a 1-0 win over Stoke on Wednesday night, but it came at some cost as Fabregas limped off with a hamstring problem and Walcott left on a stretcher after turning his ankle.

While Walcott now faces a race to be fit for the second leg of the Champions League clash against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, Wenger expects Fabregas to only be a short-term absentee.