Fabregas starts for Arsenal at Braga

Arsene Wenger made several changes for Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Sporting Braga on Tuesday, but skipper Cesc Fabregas made a surprise start despite a hamstring problem.

Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Johan Djourou, Emmanuel Eboue, Kieran Gibbs and Nicklas Bendtner all came into the side that lost 3-2 at home to north London rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Braga made three changes to the team humbled 6-0 when the sides met in September, with Elderson, Lima, and Leandro Salino all making their way onto the team-sheet.

Arsenal need a point to reach the last 16 for the 11th consecutive season, but victory for the Portuguese side would take them level on points with the Gunners at the top of Group H.

Teams:

Sporting Braga: Felipe, Miguel Garcia, Moises, Rodriguez, Echiejile, Vandinho, Leandro Salino, Alan, Aguiar, Matheus, Lima

Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Squillaci, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott, Denilson, Wilshere, Rosicky, Fabregas, Bendtner

Referee: Viktor Kassai (HUN)