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London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may be forced to gamble on Cesc Fabregas' fitness Tuesday in an attempt to get the win against FC Porto his side needs to progress to the Champions League quarterfinals.
The Spain midfielder limped out of Saturday's 3-1 Premier League win over Burnley with a recurrence of a hamstring injury that has hampered him this season.
But the Gunners need to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit and Fabregas has scored and set up more goals than any other Arsenal player this season.
"I'm ready to take the gamble," Wenger said. "You look at the numbers of Fabregas this season and it is amazing. He's a fantastic player, with fantastic attitude and commitment.
"He is everywhere and this season he has made a big step forward, massive."
Wenger said he will wait until just before the match before making a decision on his captain's participation, adding that he will not risk him if there is "more than a 50% chance" of him breaking down.
Fabregas scored his 17th goal of the season in the Gunners' fourth straight Premier League win before departing in the 39th minute.
Abou Diaby replaced Fabregas on Saturday and could stand in if his captain is not able to play.
Sol Campbell scored Arsenal's goal in Portugal two weeks ago and is again set to play, with central defender William Gallas ruled out because of injury.
Manuel Almunia is back in action and should start in goal ahead of Lukasz Fabianski, whose error led to Porto's opening goal. Fabianski also picked up Campbell's pass for the free kick that led to the second-half winner.
Porto has lost its last six matches in London and sustained its heaviest Champions League defeat early last season at Emirates Stadium.
But neither of the Gunners' scorers in that 4-0 group-stage win will be playing Tuesday.
Emmanuel Adebayor has left the club and Robin van Persie has not played since November because of injury.
