Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas believes he will have recovered from his hamstring injury in time to play against Premier League title rivals Chelsea on October 3 (Arsenal 11/2, Chelsea 3/4 – Premier League outright).

The midfielder suffered the injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Sunderland and the initial diagnosis was that it would keep him out for at least three weeks.

However, the Spain star is confident he will be back in contention to take on leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a week on Sunday – in what will be a major boost to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

He told reporters back in Spain: “The injury is not as bad as we first thought. There is no muscle rupture and I will be back perfect in about 10 to 11 days.

“I am working with an osteopath in Paris and just working day to day.

“I think I will make the Chelsea game.”

Fabregas, who has hit three goals so far this season following a summer in which he was constantly linked with a move to Barcelona, will definitely sit out this weekend’s home game with West Brom (Arsenal 1/6, West Brom 16/1, draw 5/1 – 90 minutes) and the Champions League tie in Belgrade against Partizan.

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