Van Persie to face Cologne

Robin van Persie will play at least 45 minutes for Arsenal when they take on Cologne despite reports he is about to join Man Utd.

United officials are working hard to seal a deal with the Gunners for the Dutchman and some reports over the last 24 hours have even claimed it is a done deal. However that is not the case, as Holland coach Louis Van Gaal says the striker will play for Arsenal today before linking up with the rest of the squad on international duty. "Robin will play his first game this Sunday," Van Gaal revealed. "He has told me he is at least going to play 45 minutes this weekend. It is a good job, because I almost had not selected him. "This is the only time I'll pick Van Persie and Tottenham's Rafael van der Vaart while they are not fit. They have not played a single game yet for their clubs and normally I don't pick players then. In future I will only pick fit players. But van Persie is so important for the Dutch team." Arsene Wenger is believed to be delighted with the player's attitude since returning to training and the striker is likely to retain the captain's armband, at least in the short term.