Positive news on Van Persie

Gunners hope to have Dutch hit-man back in the near future

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 1st April 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Positive news on Van Persie

Van Persie: Closing on full fitness

The latest news on Robin van Persie is very promising, but we have to wait two more weeks to integrate him fully into first team training.

Arsene Wenger
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Arsene Wenger is hoping Robin van Persie could be back in action for Arsenal by the end of April.

The Gunners have been rocked by the news that talismanic skipper Cesc Fabregas is set to be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a broken leg.

That blow has been cushioned, though, by the positive progress being made by Van Persie in his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.

The Dutch forward has been out of action since November, severely limiting Arsenal's attacking options.

However, he is closing on a return to full fitness once more and Wenger has hinted that he could be involved before the Premier League campaign comes to a close.

"The latest news on Robin van Persie is very promising, but we have to wait two more weeks to integrate him fully into first-team training," said the French coach.

"Let's hope we can give him some big games to aim for at the end of the season."

Title race

Arsenal are still in the running to land the top-flight crown this term, while they secured an impressive 2-2 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

However, with Europe put to one side for now, focus has been retuned to the pursuit of precious points against Wolves on Saturday.

Theo Walcott, who helped to change the course of the game against Barca in midweek, knows there is no margin for error for the Gunners heading down the final stretch, as they trail leaders Manchester United by four points with six games remaining.

"Every single game is a cup tie especially with the league title race," the England forward said.

"We need to clock up some points and add to our goal difference to show we are still in the race."