van Persie faces five months out with ankle injury

Arsenal have suffered a further blow as they have learned striker Robin van Persie's ankle injury is actually worse than was first thought.

The club had previously been advised that the injury, sustained while playing for Holland, would keep him out for approximately six weeks, and with the controversial 'horse placenta treatment' some thought he might even be back sooner.

However, Arsenal have issued a statement on their official site which indicates the striker could be facing as many as five months out of action.

“Robin van Persie returned to Arsenal on November 22nd following an ankle injury sustained whilst on international duty with Holland. The injury was expected to keep him out of action for between four and six weeks," read the statement.

“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 and opinion was required.

“Advice was sought from the leading ankle specialist Mr Niek van Dijk, who confirmed that more extensive damage had been suffered than was 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 that a full recovery will take between four and five months.”