Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accepts it was a 'mistake' to rush striker Robin van Persie back into action too soon.
The 24-year-old striker is set to return for rehabilitation in his native
Holland as he recovers from a thigh problem - the latest fitness setback of what
has been an injury-plagued season.
Van Persie had started the campaign in fine form, before being sidelined by a
knee problem suffered on international duty during October and then a muscular
injury put him out again until the new year.
Wenger brought the forward back into the side for the first leg of the Carling
Cup semi-final against Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium on January 9, but
substituted him at the interval.
Following a bout of `flu, medical tests have revealed a 'little recurrence'
of Van Persie's thigh injury, which will see him spend probably the best part of
a month on the sidelines once again, and possibly become a doubt for the
Champions League clash with AC Milan on February 20.
Wenger knows it is 'difficult' for the player, who has been limited to just
13 starts but netted seven goals.
'We do not think it will be a long-term problem,' said the Arsenal manager.
'Maybe we made a mistake to play him in the Carling Cup, because we wanted to
rush him a little bit back after the muscular problems and were not cautious
enough maybe on the night.
'This time we will have to be very patient.'
Wenger added: 'When a player has waited for so long and is ready to play, you
are under pressure a bit from him as well because he feels he can play.
'Also, when you have been out for a few months, you need some games to get
back to your best. You want to give him those games as soon as possible.
'At the end of the day, I do not feel we made the right decision to play him
on the night.'
The Arsenal boss has sanctioned a trip back to Holland as part of Van Persie's
'treatment and rehabilitation'.
Wenger said: 'A football club is not a hospital. It is made for players who
play, not for those who cannot play or are sick.
'It is very depressing for them to come in every day and see their partners
going out and playing, when he cannot.
'Sometimes it is better to get them away for 10 days where they have a
completely different environment. It makes them feel better.'
One player no longer involved with Arsenal is Lassana Diarra, after the
unsettled French midfielder joined Portsmouth on Thursday in a deal believed to
be worth around £5million.
Diarra had only joined the Gunners during the summer after becoming frustrated
at Chelsea.
The 22-year-old has vowed to show his total commitment to Portsmouth and
played down accusations he is only using them as a stepping-stone back to the
big time.
Wenger was sorry to see Diarra go, but felt the player 'panicked' when
things had not gone to plan at Emirates Stadium.
'I regret that he has gone and I wish him well,' said the Arsenal boss.
'He was impatient, especially because he had known a situation like that
before at Chelsea, and I decided to open the door because I have players in that position.
'When he had exactly the same problem again, he panicked a little bit.'
Wenger added: 'I believe he has enough quality to play at the top level, that
means for a big club.
'What he wanted to say was certainly that he has not lost the target to play
for a big club.'
