Fabregas returns for Arsenal Champions League tie

Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas will make his comeback from injury when the Gunners take on Shakhtar Donetsk in a crucial Champions League tie Tuesday.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger confirmed the return of the Spanish midfielder, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since last month, at a press conference here Monday.

Winger Theo Walcott, who injured an ankle on England duty last month, has also been named in the squad along with striker Nicklas Bendtner, who had been nursing a groin strain.

A victory for the Gunners at the Emirates will leave Wenger’s team three points clear at the top of Group H, which they currently lead on goal difference from Shakhtar after both sides won their opening two matches.

Wenger meanwhile declined to comment on the saga embroiling Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, who is the subject of intense speculation about his future at Old Trafford.

“What I make of it is that I have enough problems here not to be involved in that,” Wenger told reporters. “We are not in a transfer period at all.

“We are in front of a big Champions League game and for us it is very important to focus on that.

“Then again, any little incident at Manchester United or Arsenal becomes a big story, but it doesn’t mean that there is something real behind the story.

“Maybe yes, maybe no – but I don’t know enough to be involved in that.”

Wenger, however, said any departure of Rooney would not necessarily change the complexion of the Premier League title race.

“Chelsea won the championship last year. Rooney was at Manchester United and that didn’t stop Chelsea from winning the championship,” he said.

“What is important is that you perform well.

“What we have learned since the start of the season is that the games we lost, we could have won, and that the team who wins the title will be the most consistent one because everyone will drop points.”