Fabregas to start for Arsenal

Braga v Arsenal

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas shrugged off concerns over his hamstring injury to start tonight’s Champions League Group H clash in Braga.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger made seven changes from the team which threw away a 2-0 lead as they lost Saturday’s north London derby at home to Tottenham.

Jack Wilshere, who missed England’s friendly with France because of a back problem, started in midfield, along with winger Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott, while Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou started in defence.

Nicklas Bendtner, who had hit out at a lack of opportunities, returned to lead the Arsenal attack with Samir Nasri joining nine-goal Marouane Chamakh on the bench, while Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin had both been left behind in London to work on fitness.

Braga were thrashed 6-0 at the Emirates Stadium on matchday one but are now only three points behind Group H leaders Arsenal. Former Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana was among their substitutes.

Braga v Arsenal

Braga: Felipe, Miguel Garcia, Moises, Rodriguez, Echiejile, Vandinho, Leandro Salino, Alan, Aguiar, Matheus, Lima.

Subs: Artur Moraes, Mossoro, Madrid, Silvio, Hugo Viana, Anibal, Elton.

Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Squillaci, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere, Rosicky, Fabregas, Bendtner.

Subs: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Nasri, Vela, Song, Chamakh.

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)