Arsene Wenger has revealed that Cesc Fabregas and Alex Song could be fit to face Barcelona on Tuesday.
The midfield duo will sit out Arsenal’s Premier League home date with Sunderland on Saturday, but are hoping to be ready for midweek UEFA Champions League duty.
With the Gunners leading their last-16 encounter with Barca 2-1 heading into the second leg at Camp Nou, they are determined to travel to Catalunya with their strongest possible side.
The return of club captain Fabregas would offer a welcome boost to their European endeavours, while Cameroon enforcer Song would help to add steel in the middle of the park.
Wenger admits there is no guarantee that either will be involved in the crunch clash, but he is hoping both will come into contention.
Improving
“They are still improving for the Barcelona game. They have a chance,” he said.
“Fabregas at the moment has a stronger chance than Song, but they have a chance.”
Meanwhile, Wenger has also spoken of his delight at seeing Aaron Ramsey return to his plans following a lengthy spell on the sidelines and loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Cardiff.
The Welsh starlet has not figured for Arsenal since suffering a badly broken leg at Stoke in February 2010, but he is closing on full fitness again and could return to the Gunners’ first-team in the not too distant future.
On Ramsey, Wenger said: “Aaron has had to be very patient and he must feel very good to be back.
Positive
“When you have a big injury before the age of 20 normally you come back and you develop normally.
“That is why the big question mark about him was whether he would be back fully fit physically.
“That is now sorted out in a positive way, the rest is just a question of playing games. He has dealt with the injury very well.
“Certainly he has been very down for a long period, but on the outside signs he has shown he is always highly motivated and determined to work hard.”
