Van Persie picks up injury but still has ‘good chance’ of facing

 

Robin van Persie

By Richard Clarke

Robin van Persie has a “good chance” of facing Manchester United on Sunday despite picking up an injury in training.

The 23-year-old Dutch striker hurt his ankle this week and Arsène Wenger will wait for the results of a scan before deciding over his participation at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. But when he spoke exclusively to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon the manager seemed optimistic.

“At the moment we think it is a very short-term problem,” said Wenger. “He is going for a scan and after that we will know more about it. He still has a very good chance of being available for Sunday.”

Elsewhere there was mixed news. “Eboue will be available,” said Wenger. “But Ljungberg and Gallas are still out.”

The return of the Ivorian right back will be welcome. He has featured in just 66 minutes of first-team action over the course of the last seven games.

Gilberto is suspended on Sunday after his red card at Blackburn last weekend. However Wenger was positive when asked how he would replace the in-form Brazilian.

“With a good player who will give everything against Manchester United,” he replied. “We have players like Flamini who can come in.  He did well at Liverpool recently.” 

Arsenal TV Online subscribers will be able to see the full interview on Friday morning. In it, Wenger discusses: Man United’s title credentials, Henrik Larsson, why he won’t talk of the title now, the Blackburn win, the race for the Champions League places, the chances of Lauren leaving and why Jeremie Aliadiere’s possible departure would be so painful for him.