Van Persie suffers injury setback

(GSM) – Arsenal have confirmed that striker Robin van Persie will be sidelined until the middle of October following an ankle injury.

The Dutch star suffered the injury in the Gunners 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers with initial diagnosis projecting return to action before the end of September.

That now looks an unrealistic prognosis with Arsenal confirming that his likely period of recuperation has been extended by around a further two weeks.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Robin van Persie will have to wait a little longer before he is back in the first-team frame. The Dutchman injured his ankle against Blackburn Rovers on August 28 and will be sidelined for longer than first anticipated. Van Persie is likely to be out of action until mid-October.”

Van Persie will certainly miss the club’s first two Champions League games against Braga and Partizan Belgrade and could be unavailable for up to five Premier League games, including the trip to Chelsea on October 3.