Premier League - Fury at Van Persie misdiagnosis

Reuters - Sun, 29 Nov 07:01:00 2009

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger vented his fury at the Dutch FA after striker Robin van Persie was ruled out for at least four months with the ankle injury picked up on Netherlands duty.

2009 Netherlands Robin van Persie - 0

Van Persie was carried off on a stretcher in a recent friendly against Italy after landing badly following a tackle by Giorgio Chiellini.

"Countries just take your player away for a friendly and then give him back and say: 'There you go'," Wenger said.

"It doesn't happen in any other sport. It's a joke and is so disrespectful."

The French boss, whose Gunners side face Premier League leaders Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, was critical of the medical treatment the player received from his country.

"We have just found out that it is much worse than what they told us," he said.

"If a player gets injured with his country he should be sent back to his club straight away to be checked out by their doctors, not by those of the national team."

An Arsenal statement said the injury had been expected to keep him out for between four and six weeks, but that diagnosis had to be revised.

"In order to repair his (right) ankle Robin will undergo surgery next week in Amsterdam to reconstruct the ligaments," they stated.

"The club's medical team anticipate a full recovery will take between four and five months.

"Advice was sought from the leading ankle specialist Mr Niek van Dijk, who confirmed more extensive damage had been suffered than was first diagnosed."

Van Persie was also upset at the circumstances surrounding the treatment of his injury.

"If I had known then, I would have been operated on the next day," he said. "We have all been steered in the wrong direction."

The 26-year-old has thrived this season, scoring eight goals in his last 11 matches for third-placed Arsenal.

"It is so frustrating to be out for months," added Van Persie. "I was having a super season with the team. I had never felt as strong and powerful."

His ankle operation means the Dutch striker faces a race against time to be fully fit for the World Cup in June.

Reuters

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  1. I think FIFA need to revise their rulings as it­ pertains to internationals. How can a national­ association take on a player whose wages are paid by­ the club for a meaningless international, get him­ injured, misdiagnosed the injury, then send him back to­ the club to treat him and pay his wages while he­ recovers which would be just in time for the WC. Every­ priviledge carries a weight of responsibility otherwise­ it leads to disaster as the case is now for Arsenal.

    From yomia, on Sun 29 Nov 1:41PM

  2. Gunners attach was recently build around RVP, not even­ Asharvin who is the man up-front. His injury is already­ a threat to Arsenal success in every other match to be­ played in his season till his return; and even at his­ return, who can guarantee his excellent performance­ after such severe ankle injury which witness wrong­ diagnose and under-estimation of it capacity only to be­ ascertain after weeks.
    Wenger should as a matter of­ urgency fashion out a suitable replacement for this­ heroe as the season progress in order not to crumble­ out of the race of Premier League tittle.

    From OshomaB, on Sun 29 Nov 1:31PM

  3. No worries VP. You recover in time for the wc and get­ injuried again, hurray. F#ck this international teams­ using club players, they should have players from­ anywhere but from the top leagues. Unless of course the­ county's FAs are preparred to pony-up the wages if­ they do get injuried. I bet they would be more­ reluctant to use these players for friendly matches.­ Arsenal fans should not asked to subsidise the Dutch­ nation squad. Recover pronto VP.

    From paulanton11, on Sun 29 Nov 1:13PM

  4. A WISH YE ALL DA BEST WEE MON A NO HOW YEE FEEL I DID­ ME WRIST IN W ANKIN WAN TEEM. ITS NAT NICE IS AT?

    From Donney, on Sun 29 Nov 12:12PM

  5. Van will recovery sooner than we know, He is a man of­ his own, Will miss his against Cherlsea, but we the­ Gunners will survive, Its a game of football all eleven­ players are important in the field, Go Gunners, Go­ Gunners we stand behind u!

    From toto5, on Sun 29 Nov 11:52AM

  6. Van will recovery sooner than we know, He is a man of­ his own, Will miss his against Cherlsea, but will the­ Gunners will survive, Its a game of football all eleven­ players are important in the field, Go Gunners, Go­ Gunners we stand behind u!

    From toto5, on Sun 29 Nov 11:50AM

  7. Van will recovery sooner than we know, He is a man of­ his own, Will miss his against Cherlsea, but will the­ Gunners will survive, Its a game of football all eleven­ players are important in the field, Go Gunners, Go­ Gunners we stand behind u!

    From toto5, on Sun 29 Nov 11:50AM

  8. I thought Niek van Dijk was one of the actors in Mary­ Poppins, turns out he's looking after van­ Persie's ankle!

    From Gareth, on Sun 29 Nov 10:59AM

  9. I love arsenal they'll beat chelsea don't worry­ arsenal fans

    From First L, on Sun 29 Nov 10:35AM

  10. dutch vanka is nicht gut, he is kaput for funf munths

    From pond.simba, on Sun 29 Nov 10:25AM

  11. dutch cantdo achukrafl!

    From sven, on Sun 29 Nov 10:04AM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    What, pray tell, is "tghe damage"!? Van­ Persie is a good player, but he cannot score goals.­ Eduardo would be my first choice anyway.

    From Goatlips, on Sat 28 Nov 10:36PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Title hopes over 4 the poor gooners .See how badly we­ gon kick their @#$% 2morow.Chelsea rules!!!!!

    From hunchback04, on Sat 28 Nov 9:27PM

  14. just put vermaelan up front hes a better finisher than­ s%ity van persie

    From Donnchadh, on Sat 28 Nov 9:19PM

  15. With Van the man out for 5 months i think thats the end­ of Arsenals title hopes!!

    From tc, on Sat 28 Nov 9:08PM

  16. Van Persie will need to stop playing for his National­ Team to prolong his football career. If he­ doesn't, I guarantee, he will not have a long­ career.

    From AyotundeA, on Sat 28 Nov 8:26PM

  17. im a united fan but donlt like this sorta stuff in­ footy! i like watching good players!

    From TCdaBaller, on Sat 28 Nov 7:55PM

  18. Van's absence is a big blow to the team-arsenal!!!­ Hope wenger will learn a good lesson from this because­ Vela is not a possible replacement for Van, believe­ that Wenger will buy another good player come January­ for us to be in good position come June/July.
    Adeleke.

    From jerriwill, on Sat 28 Nov 7:48PM

  19. I don't think Vela is quite ready yet, but he will­ be a star of the future, once he grows up a bit, and­ uses his brains more on the pitch. Wenger must buy­ someone in January.
    I would love him to sign Sergio­ Aguero, but i'm sure he would cost too much.
    Also­ the Brazillian striker, who missed the penalty against­ England recently, would be a good addition.

    From Robin, on Sat 28 Nov 7:23PM

  20. This is bad for arsenal Van Persie is obviously there­ key player but I think they will cope with­ Arshavin,Fabregas etc etc....

    From Nath, on Sat 28 Nov 7:07PM
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