Arsene Wenger today insisted Cesc Fabregas's absence with a hamstring injury would be no excuse for Arsenal failing to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
The 22-year-old was ruled out of tomorrow night's return clash with Porto at Emirates Stadium after missing training this morning and was sent to hospital for scans on the injury.
The skipper's latest setback, which came after he scored the first goal in Saturday's 3-1 win over Burnley, is a recurrence of the problem that sidelined him at the turn of the year and is a huge blow to the Gunners' hopes of overturning a 2-1 first-leg deficit against the Portuguese champions.
Wenger said: "I was hoping he would recover after the game because we were cautious with him. He was not adamant about coming off but he has damaged his hamstring and we cannot take a gamble on him.
"Ideally we wanted him to be there but we want to qualify and the absence of Cesc is no excuse at all. We have enough players and a strong enough squad to get round that and have enough chances to qualify.
"He is having a scan today and we are convinced it will only be a small time out and he has a small chance of getting back for next weekend against Hull. But to play him again would risk significant damage and he could be out for a month or more."
Arsenal have not come from behind in a two-legged tie since their 1978-79 UEFA Cup clash against Hajduk Split but Wenger said: "This team has a good chance to make history. We have scored away from home which is still a massive advantage and that's why were are confident we can do it."
But Porto striker Falcao, who scored a controversial winner in the first leg three weeks ago, has warned Arsenal that his team-mates are confident.
He said: "I had the happiness of scoring the goal that gave Porto the victory and it was a beautiful experience.
"We have a strong desire and a conviction that we can go through to the next round."
