The Gunners captain has not featured since suffering a serious knee injury during the Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on December 21.

However, Fabregas - along with England winger Theo Walcott and Togo frontman Emmanuel Adebayor - are expected to be in contention when domestic action resumes against Manchester City this weekend.

It is the first fixture of an action-packed April for the Gunners, who also face Villarreal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and have an FA Cup semi-final date at Wembley with Chelsea as well as three other Barclays Premier League games - which include a trip to Anfield.

Arsenal will be looking to extend an unbeaten run of 16 league matches which has moved them back into the top four - but Wenger knows their skipper cannot be expected to be firing on all cylinders at the heart of the side straight away.

"Cesc is ready to play again, but he needs three games to be back [at his best]," Wenger said on French TV channel TF1.

"We are due to play eight games in 25 days, which are all decisive."

Arsenal had nearly all of their first-team squad away during the international break, and Wenger will be hoping for some positive news on the injury front when the squad regroups at London Colney.

Leading scorer Robin van Persie returned early after a groin problem ruled him out of Holland's midweek game against Macedonia.

Fellow striker Nicklas Bendtner (knee) is another worry, as is midfielder Abou Diaby (hip).

However, it is hoped Walcott - who just started playing again following a shoulder injury which kept him out from November only to then pick up a minor knee problem ahead of the international break - should soon be available.

Adebayor scored on his first game back since the start of February with a hamstring injury as Togo beat Cameroon in a World Cup qualifier.

There was also positive news for striker Eduardo, who netted for Croatia to claim what was his first international goal since returning from a year out with a broken leg to keep Slaven Bilic's team Croatia second behind England in Group Six.

Even though the Gunners have now clawed themselves back into the Champions League places as Aston Villa falter, Wenger's men remain 10 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand, and six behind third-placed Chelsea.

Defender Mikael Silvestre won four Premier League medals from his time at Old Trafford and believes Arsenal's current crop of talented youngsters can soon be competing for the title once again.

"We have got to believe that we can challenge next season," said Silvestre, who signed from United in August, and is fit again following a calf injury which sidelined him since January.

"If we build on this season, which is not finished yet, there is a lot of reason to think that we must challenge from day one for the title."

Silvestre, 31, told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com: "You have to make a quick start, of course, because all the best teams take points. As soon as you drop two or three points, the gap is really big."

Meanwhile, Arsenal's French international full-back Bacary Sagna has dismissed reports linking him with a summer move to Juventus.

"I am under contract with Arsenal until 2014," Sagna told www.skysports.com.

"I love this club, I get on well with all the squad and I am happy.

"Juve are a big team, however if Arsenal decide to sell me that is another thing altogether.

"But I am happy here and in my knowledge I am in the plans of the manager for a long time."

Wenger confirmed tonight Fabregas would be included in the squad for Saturday's match, but revealed van Persie would be out.

Eduardo also picked up a slight groin problem while on international duty, while midfielder Samir Nasri (flu) and Mexican striker Carlos Vela (fatigue) may also miss out.

However, Bendtner should be okay to face City.

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "Three players are out and there is a question mark over Nasri - but Fabregas, Adebayor and Walcott are all back and available in the squad.

"Nicklas texted us last night and said everything was alright with him, but Carlos Vela, I count out because he lands on Friday morning at 10.30am.

"However if needed he can be in the squad."