Van Persie: Ankle injury
Arsenal have announced that Robin van Persie will be sidelined for 'approximately six weeks'.
The striker suffered an ankle injury 10 minutes into Holland's goalless draw with Italy on Saturday and had to be stretchered from the field.
The Dutch Football Association later revealed he had ruptured ankle ligaments amid fears he could be out of action for several months.
Van Persie played down such concerns on Sunday evening by saying that he would be fit to return in 'four to six weeks'.
Arsenal have now confirmed the length of time they expect to be without the 26-year-old, whilst also stating that he will come back to England to continue his rehabilitation.
Van Persie will therefore miss a number of key games for his club but should be available again around Christmas.
A statement on Arsenal's official website read: "Following the care given to Van Persie by the Dutch FA, he will travel back to London this week and continue his treatment with the Arsenal medical team at London Colney.
"Van Persie will be out of action for approximately six weeks.
"We wish Robin a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him playing again soon."
Van Persie, meanwhile, intends to do all he can to help his recovery - including radical medical treatment in Serbia which involves using human placenta.
Speaking to Dutch television programme Studio Voetbal, the Arsenal striker revealed: "I will fly to the Balkans to meet with a female doctor who helped [PSV Eindhoven midfielder] Danko Lazovic.
"She is vague about her methods, but I know she massages you using fluid from a placenta.
"I am going to try. It cannot hurt and if it helps, it helps.
"I have been in contact with Arsenal physiotherapists and they have let me do it."
Van Persie accepted his injury could have been much more serious.
The Dutchman added: "A scan showed that my ankle ligament was almost completely torn off where [Giorgio] Chiellini caught me, but it was not intentional.
"I was lucky, it could be worse."
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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Liverpool vs Man City |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Fulham |
| 15:00 | Burnley vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Wolverhampton |
| 15:00 | Hull vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Arsenal |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Everton |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Bolton vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Wigan |
| 16:00 | Stoke vs Portsmouth |
| Wednesday 25th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Hull vs Everton |
| 20:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | West Ham vs Burnley |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Sunderland |
| 17:30 | Aston Villa vs Tottenham |
| Sunday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:00 | Wolverhampton vs Birmingham |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Monday 9th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham | |
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd | |
| West Ham 1 - 2 Everton | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 5 - 1 Bolton | |
| Blackburn 3 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Tottenham 2 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Man City 3 - 3 Burnley | |
| Wednesday 4th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Sunday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Birmingham 0 - 0 Man City | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 3 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Everton 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Fulham 3 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Burnley 2 - 0 Hull | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Wolverhampton | |
| Portsmouth 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 West Ham | |
David Ginola told Sky Sports News that French supporters are appalled by their World Cup play-off win.
Paul Merson can't separate Bolton and Blackburn - but thinks Stoke will see off Portsmouth.
The French Football Federation have refused to back the Football Association of Ireland's call to replay their World Cup play-off.
The FAI have launched a fresh plea with their French counterparts to agree to a replay of their controversial play-off match.
Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane has joined French captain Thierry Henry in calling for a replay of their World Cup qualifier.
Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni will not quit football over the Thierry Henry handball controversy.
The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield.
Comments (5)
Paul Jones (Arsenal fan) says...
It's a blow for Arsenal but a good oppurtunity for Eduardo to come in and show how good he is. If he stays fit he's more than capable of getting the goals we'll need. Alot will hinge on the Chelsea game next week, if we can win that the results will continue and we could be top by Xmas. The goals have been flowing and from all over the field. Lets have him back and fresh for the new year. Up the gooners!!
Posted 13:13 16th November 2009
Ben Davey (Chelsea fan) says...
A real shame for Van Persie to pick up this injury at a time where he is in the best form of his Arsenal career. I hope he doesnt retire being a player who never reached his full potential due to injuries, like so many other players. Current players such as Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate have the same problem. Van Persie was recently described as Hollands most important player, Arsenal will see this as a massive blow in the run up to the busy winter schedule. Not only has he been in top scoring form but has provided assists also. Could be time for young Theo Walcott to step up and show why he should be on the plane to South Africa next year.
Posted 13:12 16th November 2009
Dave Paterson (Arsenal fan) says...
We have done well when missing massive players before, look at how well we did last season when Cesc was out... But this time it's simple - It's time for Eduardo to live up to his reputation and show the rest of the Premier League that Arsenal are going for the title...
Posted 12:37 16th November 2009
Martin Saunders (Arsenal fan) says...
Yet another pointless friendly which has now ruled out our most inform player for the next 6 weeks with some very important games coming up. This could have been a injury to keep van persie our for months not weeks hope he can return to full fitness as soon as.
Posted 12:15 16th November 2009
Kev G (Arsenal fan) says...
And there it is, in all its glory - the cruel stroke of fate/chance/Sod's Law that has happened every time we've managed to get a run together. Now we'll know how good the squad is; with Bendtner, V.P. Walcott, etc all side-lined, there are going to be some nail-biting games on the cards. If the Professori is as good as his word, then Merida and Vela will have to at least get space on the bench. We shall see......
Posted 11:52 16th November 2009