Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being injured on international duty.
The Dutch international was stretchered off during Holland’s 0-0 draw with Italy in a friendly fixture after a heavy challenge from Juve’s Giorgio Chiellini.
If he has, as suspected, damaged his ankle ligaments he could be out of action for a long time and Dutch boss Bert van Marwijk admitted the situation does not look good for the 26-year-old.
He said: “The first diagnosis is a bad ankle injury,
“We are waiting for X-rays in hospital. It’s terrible for Robin and is not good for Holland or his club.”
Should the tests confirm he has picked up a major injury it will be a massive blow for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Van Persie has been one of the Premier League’s best players so far this term and has scored some crucial goals.
In 14 appearances this season he has scored eight goals, while assisting eight other Arsenal goals in a blistering start to the campaign.
The Gunners look to have a decent chance of nicking the title this season and personally I would argue they’re performing better than any other Premier League side. The squad is still a very talented one but without Van Persie it remains to be seen whether they can maintain their impressive start.
The Dutchman’s injury may now force Wenger to dabble in the transfer market in January. Though with the likes of Theo Walcott, Thomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri they still have plenty of creative attacking talent to call upon.
Van Persie has been operating as a centre-forward through the majority of the season so far and Wenger may need to splash out on a ‘traditional’ centre-forward to replace Van Persie.
Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer promoting Irish racing and Cheltenham 2010 for Betfair.
