Injured Arsenal to miss Carling Cup final

LONDON - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has lost his battle to be fit for Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Birmingham City.

The Spain midfielder suffered a hamstring strain in Wednesday’s Premier League win over Stoke City but had hoped he would recover in time.

But manager Arsene Wenger said he would be not be ready in time for the first Cup final of the season at Wembley.

“It is a very small injury but certainly Cesc will be out for Sunday,” he said. “For how long, I don’t know.

“He is disappointed. We all feel sorry and sad for him. The only way we help him now is to win the Carling Cup as he contributed a lot in this competition.”