Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is expected to discover the extent of Cesc Fabregas's knee injury tomorrow. The Arsenal captain limped out of yesterday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool and could miss the entire festive programme.
The midfielder was unable to continue for the second half after picking up a knee problem after a challenge with Spain compatriot Xabi Alonso and will have a scan tomorrow.
"Of course it is a blow," Wenger said of the injury. "We do not want to lose a player like that, but we have to cope with it."
Emmanuel Adebayor will definitely miss the Gunners' next match - away to third-placed Aston Villa on St Stephen's Day - after he was sent off for a second caution yesterday's.
The 24-year-old and boss Arsene Wenger were heavily critical of referee Howard Webb for the dismissal but the pair will not receive action from the FA for their comments.
Adebayor hit out at the reaction of Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, whom he claimed acted like he had been "knifed" as he fell to the ground dramatically following the challenge which resulted in Webb reaching for his pocket.
The actions of the Arsenal frontman were clumsy at best, but replays showed there was no use of the elbow. Adebayor defended his approach, insisting strikers get bashed and bruised as much as any players.
He said: "I can show you some marks on my leg, I got a lot of kicks — but I was trying to be on my feet. For me I don't think I deserved the red card, but that is football, and you have to take it like that."
