With Arsenal set to play their first – and hopefully not last – final of the season, manager Arsene Wenger gave a full update on the fitness level of midfielder Cesc Fabregas and striker Theo Walcott.

On the captain, the Frenchman explained he is definitely out of tomorrow’s Wembley game as he will be out for at least two games. Wenger explained the player is bitterly disappointed for missing such an important game but added how the injury could have been worse so it’s very important for the team that he will only miss a couple of games.

On Theo Walcott, the Arsenal boss said that he will also miss the game and how contrary to the Spaniard he will have to sit out at least three weeks after suffering an ankle problem against Stoke City, hence set to miss the 2nd leg against Barcelona, in the Champions League.

Wenger concluded by confirming striker Robin van Persie will be the captain on Sunday. The Dutchman recovered from an injury which kept him out of Wednesday’s game but will be back, leading the forward line and leading the rest of the side.

On Friday, Wenger said:

[Cesc Fabregas] is injured and is out. We had a scan yesterday. He is out for one or two games, maybe. He is sad and disappointed of course. It could have been worse and the injury is a very small one. But we have so many targets in front of us, it is important that he is not out for longer.

What is important now is that the team and the squad focuses on the game we want to play on Sunday. Ideally you want everybody fit but before the season starts you know you can have some players injured. We can deal with that.

You never want accidents to happen but we can deal with the fact that Cesc will not be there, Walcott will not be there and, of course, Vermaelen will not be there. [Theo Walcott] will be two to three weeks for an ankle problem.

I would say today it will be very unlikely he will be fit for the second Barcelona game. I imagine the worst so maybe I will be surprised in a positive way but I just give you the gut feeling at the moment that I have.

The vice-captain, who is Robin van Persie [will be captain]. He is back and I’m delighted. We have a squad who can deal with the number of games we have, we have shown that in the last three months.