WENGER'S worst fears realised Robin has torn ankle ligaments
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Arsenal fear Robin van Persie may miss rest of season as Holland striker suffers horror injury
Agony: Robin van Persie lies injured clutching his ankle (above) and is treated by medics on the pitch during Holland's friendly draw with Italy (below)
Rushed to hospital: Arsenal star Van Persie is taken away on a stretcher
Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered an enormous setback last night when striker Robin van Persie sustained a serious ankle injury in Holland's friendly international match against Italy in Pescara.
Van Persie was rushed to hospital after just 12 minutes of the game when he collapsed to the ground following a heavy challenge from Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk said: 'I was shocked when I saw it. It doesn't look good. I feel very sad for Robin and Arsenal.'
Van Persie is expected to be examined in Amsterdam today by renowned ankle specialist Professor Niek van Dijk. The surgeon has previously treated Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Michael Owen.
A team doctor said he feared Van Persie had ruptured ligaments in his ankle, an injury that would keep him out for at least three months. But if further examination reveals the ankle is broken, the star could miss the rest of the season.
Van Persie has scored eight goals for Arsenal in this campaign and his impressive run of form - his goals have all come in the last 11 matches - has prompted many observers to cite Arsenal, currently in second place behind Chelsea, as title favourites. But that dream looked in ruins when the striker screamed in agony as he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher.
The loss of Van Persie will be a bitter blow to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has had to bear the brunt of criticism while waiting for five years of rebuilding his team to bear fruit. Only two weeks ago Wenger revealed how much he dislikes November because it always seems to bring injuries.
His complaint came after he lost left-back Gael Clichy with a back injury, while Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner also picked up knocks. Now van Persie's setback will confirm the Frenchman's worst fears about this period.
The 26-year-old's injury is also a major blow for Holland just seven months before the start of the World Cup.
Last night's game ended goalless after Italy substitute Giampaolo Pazzini was denied a late winner when the referee ruled that he used his arm to bundle the ball home with seven minutes remaining. At the other end, Italy's veteran goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, marked his 100th cap with a clean sheet.
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g.g
Wenger sure kao peh again!!!!
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he looks really bad
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omg
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Latest news is he might only be out for 2 to 3 months with a torn ankle ligaments...
The extent of the injury will not be determined until Sunday evening when tests will be carried out on Van Persie...
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Wa piang 2-3 mths is oso damn long lehz. simi lj international break waste time onli. italians are just mafia player no class team. nice 1 la now 4 3 3 eduardo play center role liao another injury prone player. Hope walcott will be back againist chelsea game.
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no!
no!
no!
NOOOOOOOOO
walao eh
we need him
nt he injured
hope he get well sooner or later
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Highly rated forward Robin van Persie was part of the starting XI for the Dutch, but the in-form attacker was forced to leave the pitch after only fourteen minutes of play due to injury.
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there goes gunner superstar
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this friendlies are damn waste of time nia. if players are injured during this meaningless friendlies, then their clubs are farked, esp when they are involved in the league title and CL chase.
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again..
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this friendlies are killing clubs' ambitions
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ARSENE WENGER'S worst fears were realised last night as it was confirmed Robin Van Persie has torn ankle ligaments.
Arsenal's star striker could now be out for the ENTIRE season. It is a crippling blow for boss Wenger's Premier League and Euro hopes.
Van Persie was left in agony 10 minutes into Holland's goalless friendly with Italy on Saturday after a challenge from Giorgio Chiellini. He has scored seven league goals so far this season, leading the line for the in-form Gunners.
Van Persie, 26, was in Amsterdam last night undergoing scans as medics looked to rule out any fracture to the joint.
They have confirmed the ligaments are torn - though Van Persie remains optimistic. He said: "I am probably out for between four to six weeks."
Wenger said: "The footage doesn't look that bad but the seriousness of the injury does seem to be."
Arsenal are second in the table and Wenger will be hoping the loss of the Dutchman does not mirror striker Eduardo's situation from two seasons ago.
In February 2008 the Croatian broke his leg - and his absence led to them surrendering a place at the top of the table, as they finished third.
Striker Nicklas Bendtner is already out until the New Year after groin surgery and Wenger could be forced to spend in the January transfer window.
Marouane Chamakh tops his list but Wenger pulled out of an £8m August move for the Moroccan. French side Bordeaux will force the price up for a mid-season move.
Van Persie' list of pain
ROBIN VAN PERSIE is no stranger to injury.
JAN 2006: Breaks toe against Cardiff in the FA Cup. Month out.
JAN 2007: Fractured a metatarsal celebrating against Man Utd. Out for rest of season.
OCT '07: Twisted knee on international duty. Returns in December.
DEC '07: Knee problem causes more trouble. Two months out.
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Haiz =.=
tis is suay
it ok... -
is arsenal a 1 man team?
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JAN 2007: Fractured a metatarsal celebrating against Man Utd. Out for rest of season.
I remember this hahaha! RVP out 2 months now, dope.