Arsenal expect Robin van Persie to be out of action for 'approximately six weeks' with ankle ligament damage.
The 26-year-old striker picked up the injury playing for Netherlands against Italy on Saturday when he was stretchered off after 10 minutes.
"Following the care given to Van Persie by the Dutch FA, he will travel back to London and continue his treatment with Arsenal," said a club statement.
"Van Persie will be out of action for approximately six weeks."
There were fears the forward would be out for longer following the challenge by Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Saturday's 0-0 draw, but his absence will still be a major blow for the Gunners.
He has scored eight goals in 15 games in all competitions this season but the games he is set to miss include those against Chelsea on 29 November and Liverpool on 13 December.
Van Persie's career in north London has been interrupted by a succession of injuries - he broke a toe in January 2006, fractured a metatarsal in January 2007 and damaged a knee on international duty in October 2007.
After enjoying a relatively injury-free 2008-09 season, he has started all of Arsenal's Premier League games this season, and, along with his eight goals, has eight assists.
All of Van Persie's goals have come in the last 11 games and the former Feyenoord forward has helped propel Arsenal to within five points of Premier League leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.
His absence leaves the Gunners short in attack, with Nicklas Bendtner sidelined until mid-December following minor groin surgery and Theo Walcott nursing a knee ligament problem.
Arsenal are also currently without the injured Gael Clichy and Denilson.
Any lengthy absence for Van Persie will also be felt by the Dutch as they prepare for the 2010 World Cup.
2 comments:
"There are many fans in here going overboard about van Persies injury and that it could cost us dearly, well, yes he is a fantastic player to have, and yes, he has scored 7 league goals and created just as many, but I do sincerely think that we will cope without him, Arsenal have banged in 29 other premier league goals this year from other sources and will continue to do so just as long as the players themselves don't let the loss of van Persie hang over their shoulders, I just hope that none of them take much notice of forums like this otherwise our title challenge is over, our squad is fine where the front players are concerned, we should all start worrying when the African cup of nations starts (losing our most improver player Song) or if Vermaelen/Gallas get injured, get well soon RVP, the boys will keep the title challenge well on track until you return."
aku rasa takdela kesan yang besar sangat..tapi tak nafikan still ada...
sebab RVP ni pun dah mule dapat rentak utk main sebagai 1st striker...
ini pun ditambah dengan ketumpulan eduardo tu ....
maybe sebab dah lama sangat tak main kot...maybe ni la masanye utk eduardo dan vela tunjukkan kehebatan dorg....
u can do it...
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