Arsenal striker Robin van Persie doubtful for Barcelona tie
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is doubtful for their upcoming UEFA Champions League crucial match against Barcelona at Nou Camp.
The 27-year-old Dutch striker injured his knee in Arsenal’s latest defeat against Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final.
Robin van Persie skippered Arsenal in the Carling Cup and scored an equaliser in the 38th minute. However, the Dutchman hurt his knee while scoring the goal and lasted until the 70th minute before he was substituted.
Robin van Persie had scans on his knee on Monday and Arsenal’s medical team will assess his condition on Tuesday but it is being feared that the Dutchman will be out for more than three weeks.
Moreover, recent reports emerging from London have claimed that Robin van Persie will not be able to make a trip to Nou Camp for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout phase.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429’s Champions League dreams.
Moreover, Arsene Wenger has also confirmed that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Theo-Walcott-c34873, who injured his ankle recently against Stoke City, is unlikely to take part in Arsenal’s away fixture against Barcelona, which means the Gunners would be without van Persie and Walcott.
However, Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, who pulled his hamstring in a win over Stoke City and did not play in the Carling Cup final, is expected to return in time for the visit to Nou Camp.
Van Persie, who is also Arsenal’s vice-captain, has been in sensational form- scoring 13 times in the last 11 games. The Dutchman’s absence in the next few matches would come as a blow to Arsenal’s hopes of ending their 5-year trophy drought.
Moreover, Arsenal’s defensive leader http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thomas-Vermaelen-c35002, who has been out of action since September 2010, also suffered a setback during the training. The Belgian centre-half was expected to play in the Gunners’ reserve game against West Ham United but he
was declared unfit by the medical staff.
Tags: