Van Persie could be back sooner than expected 20 February, 2007

When Robin broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot against Man United it was feared he might be out for up to 14 weeks but Wenger has said he might be back in action is just half that time. The Dutch media asked about RVP’s injury in Eindhoven today and this is what Arsene had to say:

“At the start we counted large. We thought 12 to 14 weeks and were hoping for a good surprise. Maybe eight to 10 weeks. It was three weeks on Friday so we are counting nine weeks more. But we hope it will be five, six or seven.”

This is great news for us and I think we our missing our top scorer this season a lot. Thierry Henry has been absent for most of the season and the young Dutchman has really stepped up his game. If he can be back in around 6 weeks like Wenger is saying that’d be great. I’m ready for him to be out the whole season so whatever he gets is a bonus to me.

I bet Robin would love to be playing tonight and I’m sure he would’ve been picked if fit. However he has warned Arsenal to be cautious playing the Dutch champions. He say’s we must be careful not to pile forward as PSV are very dangerous on the counter attack and you could be losing even though you’re on top in the game. He’s what he said:

“We have to be very careful because they have a good defence and a fantastic keeper in Gomes. They have good strikers as well – Jefferson Farfan and Arouna Kone, they are very strong and very quick. It’s a good, solid team. The way they play in Holland is to give you confidence, let you have possession and then ‘bang’, it’s 1-0 and 2-0 and the game is over. We have to be very careful with the counter-attack. But on paper we are the stronger team and overall I think we are favourites, we have a good opportunity to go to the next round. We will have to deal with that and be really sharp, especially with the fans on our back.”

He’s right, we must’ve over-indulge in the attack, and make sure we still stay tight at the back. Phillippe Senderos is also aware of PSV’s counterattacking threat. I still think we have too much quality for the Dutch champions and I reckon we’ll win tonight. I don’t think it will be that convincing but a one or two goal lead would make things comfortable going into the 2nd leg.

The only other news is about Thierry Henry. PSV’s Brazilian goalie Heurelho Gomes reckons they’ll have to keep a close eye on Henry. There’s no doubt that Thierry is fucking excellent but he wasn’t in great form on Saturday. The Champions League usually inspires him to put in good performances and we’ll need him to tonight. The man himself says he wants to go one further in the competition this year. He says he still has a “bad taste after the final in Paris” and wants to right those wrongs. I’m sure he just as much as every Arsenal, if not more, is desperate to win the Champions League after last year. Whether or not 2007 is our year, who knows? But I know we can go far.

Also tonight Man United take on Lille and AC Milan make the trip to Glasgow to play Celtic. Our game is on ITV4 which is a bit crap. I might go down to the pub and watch it otherwise I’ll just be at home. I’ll have a match report up tomorrow some time. Until then.