Wenger slams Dutch FA over Van Persie injury

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has blasted the Dutch Football Association for its behaviour regarding the injury of Robin van Persie during international duty, describing the events as a ‘joke’.

The Gunners were dealt a devastating setback on Saturday when they revealed that the Holland striker’s ankle injury was far worse than initially feared.

Van Persie sustained a ligament problem during a November friendly with Italy and following an inspection from Arsenal’s medical team it has been decided he requires surgery.

An initial prognosis suggested that the 26-year-old would be sidelined for six weeks, but the need for an operation means he will be facing at least four months of rehabilitation, leaving Wenger to accuse Holland of downplaying the damage.

He said: “I think the Dutch FA minimised the injury.

“We have just found out that it is much worse than what they told us. 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.

“Countries just take your player away for a friendly and then give him back and say, ‘there you go’. It doesn’t happen in any other sport. It’s a joke and is so disrespectful.”