Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits winning a first trophy for almost six years would “lift a weight” off his team. But he had to break off from final preparations for the Wembley showpiece yesterday to meet with Fabregas and explain the miscommunication and his reasons for leaving him out as Fabregas had been desperate to lead the Gunners out at Wembley for the first time.

He thought he still had a chance of recovering from a slight hamstring injury to do so, until he was told on Thursday night that Arsenal’s website was running a story he had been ruled out. Wenger had not intended for the news to break before he had spoken to Fabregas and acted swiftly to smooth the situation.

Their relationship has been in no way damaged and they parted on good terms.

And although Fabregas’s dream of playing for Arsenal tomorrow is over, he should be allowed to lift the trophy if a request is registered before the game.