Van hit for a six
March 3, 2011 - 0:0
Robin Van Persie learned he could be out for six weeks as Arsenal's crisis worsened on Tuesday.
The Dutch striker, who injured a knee scoring in the Carling Cup final, may not return until mid-April.Theo Walcott has been ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League trip to Barcelona while Alex Song has a knee injury.
On top of that defender Laurent Koscielny will be ""rested"" for tonight's FA Cup fifth-round replay against Leyton Orient as he comes to term with his blunder that led to Birmingham's Carling Cup winner.
Good news is that skipper Cesc Fabregas looks set to recover from a hamstring problem in time to play against Barcelona.
But Van Persie's absence with a kneeligament issue is a major blow. Manager Arsene Wenger admitted after seeing test results: ""Unfortunately, we had bad news on the scan.""
Walcott, had a protective boot on his sprained ankle removed yesterday but any hopes he could be fit next week were dashed.
As for Fabregas facing Barca, the Arsenal boss said: ""Cesc is looking possible. He is making quick and good progress.""
But Arsenal will not field French defender Koscielny (right) tonight after his mix-up with goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny at Wembley.
Wenger said: ""Laurent suffered more. We do not want his confidence to drop.""
Szczesny is being rested only to give Manuel Almunia a game.
(Source: Sun)