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Striker shocker for Gunners
Arsenal, 10:46, November 28, 2009 ,
Arsenal have been hit with a massive blow on the injury front as Robin van Persie looks set to be out for the remainder of the season.
The Dutch striker is heading to Amsterdam for surgery on his ankle next week and the club say they do not expect a return for at least four to five months which means by the time he is close to a comeback, the season will just be weeks away from ending.
A club statement read: "Robin van Persie returned to Arsenal on November 22 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.
"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."