Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas will miss Everton game on Saturday

Arsène Wenger confirmed that Cesc Fábregas will not play against Everton on Saturday but he hopes his captain and midfield talisman can make his return from a hamstring injury at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday week. Fábregas limped out of Arsenal's 3-0 win over Aston Villa on 27 December, having come on as a second-half substitute to turn the game with two goals, but any slim hope that he might have made his comeback for the visit of Everton has been ruled out. Wenger will also be without another of his midfield regulars, Alex Song, who has departed for the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon, but Denílson could return from his back injury and Tomas Rosicky is expected to come into the squad after a groin problem. Aaron Ramsey, the man of the match in last Sunday's FA Cup win at West Ham United, should keep his place in midfield. "Fábregas should be available for Bolton," said Wenger, "and Gaël Clichy [the full-back] is not far from a return, too. We have a good hope that we will get Rosicky back in the squad. He is back and completely fit."