Agony: Robin van Persie, who was injured playing
for the Netherlands, needs an operation on his ankle
The Dutch striker injured ankle ligaments in Holland’s
friendly against Italy two weeks ago and was initially expected to
be facing a six-week recovery period.
But examination by Arsenal’s medical team and a Dutch ankle
specialist has revealed that Van Persie’s injury is far worse than
first thought and this week he will have surgery that could keep
him out for five months, effectively ending his season.
Wenger, whose side face league leaders Chelsea at the Emirates
this afternoon, was scathing about the KNVB’s initial treatment of
the player’s injury. “I think the Dutch FA minimised the injury,”
he said.
“We have just found out that it is much worse than what they
told us. If a player gets injured with his country he should be
sent back to his club straight away to be checked out by their
doctors, not by those of the national team.
“Countries just take your player away for a friendly and then
give him back and say: 'There you go.’ It doesn’t happen in any
other sport. It’s a joke and is so disrespectful.”
A statement on the club website said: “Robin van Persie returned
to Arsenal on November 22 following an ankle injury sustained on
international duty with Holland. The injury was expected to keep
him out of action for between four and six weeks.
“Upon his return, the Arsenal medical team conducted a thorough
review of his scans, his early injury management and the treatment
he had received. Having scrutinised these in detail and assessed
the response of his ankle, the club’s medical team concluded that
further investigation was required.
“Advice was sought from leading ankle specialist Mr Niek van
Dijk, who confirmed that more extensive damage had been suffered
than first diagnosed. In order to repair his ankle, Robin will
undergo surgery next week in Amsterdam to reconstruct the
ligaments. The club’s medical team anticipate a full recovery will
take between four and five months.”
Ivan Gazidis, the club’s chief executive, revealed this week
that Wenger will have money to spend in the January transfer
window, and the latest news suggests a striker will be his
priority.
Van Persie had been Arsenal’s main forward following the sale of
Emmanuel Adebayor in the summer, scoring eight goals in 15 games.
But with Nicklas Bendtner injured, Eduardo still finding his
fitness after a long injury layoff, and Theo Walcott not considered
ready for a central striking role, Wenger will look for an
established striker, with Marouane Chamakh of Bordeaux a likely
target.
Real Madrid’s Ruud van Nistelrooy has been linked with a move to
the Premier League in January but Wenger, who is renowned for
unearthing talent at bargain prices, is understood to have little
interest in signing him. Wenger is thought to have been monitoring
the progress of the 23-year-old Toulouse striker André-Pierre
Gignac, who was the leading goalscorer in the French first division
last season.
Gazidis said: “We never get into the details of how much money
is available but we can invest in the transfer market if Arsène
Wenger believes that’s what he wants to do. But fundamentally I
think he thinks for a player to be able to break into the squad and
make a contribution they have to be a special player.”
Meanwhile Argentina striker Sergio Aguero has said he will not
leave Atletico Madrid for Chelsea. Aguero is being talked about as
a possible signing during the transfer window with Chelsea set to
lose Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and John Obi
Mikel on African Cup of Nations duty. But Aguero said: “I’m
committed to the team and I’m not moving in the winter, whatever
anyone says.”