Arsenal fans need to listen to Frankie, remember what he said about relaxing.
Influential striker Robin van Persie is ready to rejoin his team-mates in an attempt to regain match fitness before the end of the season.
"We sent our fitness coach to Holland where he has been doing his rehabilitation and we are told he looks very sharp," Arsène Wenger said, after Arsenal's 2-0 win over West Ham. "He will be back this week but we have to wait at least a month."
If Van Persie is able to get back on the pitch in a month, he would be available to help his team for at least three Premier League matches. Arsenal‘s trip to the Emirates on April 24th, then their visit to Blackburn, and season finale at home against Fulham. His experience and influence could prove crucial.
The news of Van Persie returning to action earlier than expected will no doubt raise the expectation even higher in north-London that Arsenal can finally overturn the Chelsea and Manchester United domination of the Premier League title.
The Gunners currently sit two points off the top spot, and have a considerably easier run in than their rivals and apart from a dominant centre-half the only weakness in Arsenal’s armoury currently lies in what Van Persie brings to the party – a goal scorer.
But even though Van Persie’s return will boost morale both in the stands and on the pitch, being able to recapture the brilliant form that bagged him eight goals earlier in the season following a bad injury is a different proposition. Just ask Joe Cole.
Van Persie will also have his own personal aspirations in the back of his mind. The World Cup is fast approaching and currently the possession of the Dutch No.9 shirt is his to lose. It is hard to see Van Persie firing on all cylinders, risking his fitness at a major final’s, for the Arsenal cause.
The pressure cooker of the title run in may still lie at the feet of Nicklas Bendtner.
Bendtner has in fairness stepped up in the past few weeks, including goals against Porto and the potential title-deciding goal late on at the KC Stadium, but his all-round game still needs to be improve to become the focal point of a title winning side.
But Arsenal have achieved their league status on merit, and have relied on goals from all over the pitch in the absence of their talisman. They still should be good enough to have a decent shot at the title anyway, with or without a firing Van Persie.
Stay calm Arsenal fans, the return of RVP changes nothing. Just relax, they can still do it.
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