TheSportsCampus

Arsenal football club fans awoke worldwide to the shock announcement that they will be deprived of the services of superstar striker and top goalscorer Robin van Persie for not the 6 weeks earlier suspected but for 4-5 months. The Dutch striker sustained an ankle injury 10 minutes into an interna tional friendly with Italy on 22nd November following a challenge by Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Arsenal issued the following statement on their website earlier today on Van Persie's injury, "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."

Van Persie's absence seriously dents Arsenal's aspirations to challenge for silverware this season, with the Dutchman the focal point of Arsene Wenger's 4-3-3 formation, which saw him hammer in the goals (8 in his last 11 games) and also bring a number of teammates into play thanks to Arsenal's free flowing style.

Speaking to AD Sportwereld Van Persie had the following reaction to the news, "It is so frustrating to be out for months. I was having a super season with the team. I had never felt as strong and powerful as this year. Apart from, I think, two matches, I either scored or made goals in all the games we played this season. I was getting so strong, that I felt nobody could stop me anymore."

Van Persie has rarely had an injury-free season since joining Arsenal from Feyenoord as a 20-year-old in July 2004. The young Dutchman suffered a broken toe in 2006 and a broken metatarsal in his right foot in 2007.

With Croatian striker Eduardo also fairly injury prone and yet to really find some form this season, and the trio of Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela and Theo Walcott far too young to build a title challenge on, the injury to Van Persie might just force Wenger's hand to go shopping in the winter transfer window. The Arsenal boss had expressed an interest in Marouane Chamakh in the summer, but was unable to match Bordeaux's asking price for the Moroccan stiker. The rumour mongers have reacted pretty quickly raising speculation that Wenger might just up his offer in an attempt to lure the 25-year old to North London very soon.