Van Persie doubtful for Netherlands' friendly versus England
Arsenal star striker Robin van Persie is doubtful for the Netherlands friendly football match Wednesday against England as he continues to nurse a groin injury, coach Bert van Marwijk confirmed.
Arsenal star striker Robin van Persie is doubtful for the Netherlands friendly football match Wednesday against England as he continues to nurse a groin injury, coach Bert van Marwijk confirmed.
Van Persie picked up the injury in Arsenal's sensational 5-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday. The Dutchman sat out for the last ten minutes of Holland's training session at Wembley.
Van Persie has been in amazing form for his club, and is currently the top scorer in the English Premier League with 23 goals, six ahead of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.
"We will have to wait and see but I don't think it's too serious. I am optimistic he will play," van Marwijk was quoted as saying by ESPN soccernet.
Despite van Marwijk's insistence that the injury does not appear serious, the news will surely prove to be a worrying development for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has heavily relied upon the Dutchman this season.
"Robin is in great form," said van Marwijk. "It's a little bit different this season with Robin. He is scoring a lot of goals now. He is now a centre-forward.
"Normally, he is a player who plays in combination, with others. He did that with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri but now he plays very deep as a striker. He has the quality to score goals."