CESC FABREGAS will undergo a scan on his troublesome hamstring today with Arsenal fearing they could be denied their influential captain for more than three weeks. The Spain midfielder made his first appearance since damaging the muscle in the draw at Burnley in mid-December when he was summoned from the bench against Aston Villa on Sunday. That 27-minute cameo yielded two decisive goals before he retreated after feeling discomfort in the limb once again.

Arsenal opted to give the injury a further 24 hours to settle but will scan the leg today hoping their worst fears – that Fabregas could be absent until FA Cup fourth-round weekend on January 23rd – will not be confirmed. The Spaniard will certainly miss tomorrow’s trip to Portsmouth and Sunday’s FA Cup tie at West Ham, though he may now also have to sit out the league games against Bolton, home and away, and Everton as the Londoners seek to maintain their revitalised title challenge.

Arsene Wenger will be without Denilson at Fratton Park as well, the Brazilian having suffered a back injury against Villa that is not thought to be as serious as the one which kept him out for more than two months earlier in the campaign. But Arsenal have been boosted by Alex Song’s availability after Cameroon confirmed they do not expect the midfielder to report for international duty at the African Cup of Nations until next Monday, January 4th. That will allow Song to feature against Pompey tomorrow and, most likely, at Upton Park on Sunday. Regardless, Fabregas’s absence represents an untimely blow with his influence all too evident in an inspirational display against Villa.

“He was great and is a fantastic player,” said Thomas Vermaelen. “He had an injury and he did everything to make this game. We weren’t creating as many chances and, when he came on, he gave us more opportunities to score.

“Cesc is really dangerous. He has a great vision on the pitch. He is the best midfield player I have played with.”