Wenger wants resolution to Van Persie row

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called on Holland coach Bert van Marwijk to respect his views over Robin van Persie’s return from injury.

Dutch striker van Persie returned to training on Friday for the first time since being sidelined by an ankle problem at the end of August.

But, although van Persie has had no match action, van Marwijk included the Arsenal star in his provisional squad for the friendly against Turkey on November 17 and declared he would have no hesitation in selecting him.

Wenger has often seen his players come back injured from international duty – with Theo Walcott now only just fit again, while van Persie missed the best part of last season following ankle ligament damage suffered while away with Holland.

And Wenger is keen that van Persie should be allowed to make a slow return from injury, rather than being rushed back into action.

“At the moment, Robin van Persie is coming back from injury, we are concerned to use him at our club and you can understand we are bit less concerned that he automatically plays in a friendly,” Wenger said on Friday.

“Everyone of you has common sense and can completely agree with that. It does not look to me surreal that we wish him to play for us.

“Holland is not my problem at the moment, my problem is to play the game against Newcastle on Sunday. All the rest is down to the rules that are in place in the international game.

“What can I do about that? Not a lot. I am not a big influence on that and I believe the most important thing is that we prepare well for our game on Sunday, try to win the game and let everybody else talk.”

Wenger’s concern over van Persie is understandable, especially since French midfielder Abou Diaby’s ankle injury looks more serious than first expected.

The 24-year-old has been out of action since October 16 after failing to fully recover from the effects of a crunching challenge by Bolton defender Paul Robinson and Wenger fears he could be set for another long spell on the sidelines.

“You look at Diaby since he got this tackle (from Robinson), he has never come back to a normal level,” Wenger said.

“He was never himself and today we have worries for him. We don’t know how long he will be out.

“He has seen two surgeons already and at the moment we have to be patient to see if he can get away with it.”

Arsenal will have captain Cesc Fabregas available against Newcastle on Sunday after the Spain midfielder missed Wednesday’s defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk with a hamstring strain, while Andrey Arshavin and Alex Song also return.