Wenger slams Dutch FA over Van Persie injury

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has launched a stinging attack on the Dutch Football Association, alleging he was misled over the severity of Robin Van Persie's injury.

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Robin Van Persie's injury may yet halt the Gunners' glut of goals

The Gunners' top scorer was injured on international duty in a friendly against Italy two weeks ago. Initial reports suggested the striker would be out of action for around six weeks but after he returned to north London and underwent further scans it was revealed he would need surgery and be out for up to five months. It means Van Persie may only be back in time for Arsenal's last couple of Premier League fixtures.

Wenger claims the Dutch FA have been "disrespectful'' throughout the whole affair and feels there should have been more transparency over the player's ankle ligament injury.

Wenger said the Dutch federation (KNVB) downplayed the extent of the injury and kept the Gunners in the dark.

Quoted in several national newspapers, Wenger 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.''

Van Persie was sent to the same doctor as Cristiano Ronaldo, Niek van Dijk, who told them surgery was the best course of action.

"Advice was sought from the leading ankle specialist Mr Niek van Dijk, who confirmed more extensive damage had been suffered than was first diagnosed," the Gunners said on Saturday.

Van Persie was quoted by British media as saying: "If I had known then, I would have been operated on the next day. We have all been steered in the wrong direction.

"It is so frustrating to be out for months. I was having a super season with the team. I had never felt as strong and powerful."

But the Dutch FA hit back on Sunday morning, claiming they did not hide anything from the Premier League club.

The KNVB released a statement which read: "Directly after Robin van Persie got injured in the friendly of the Dutch national team versus Italy, the doctor of the Netherlands team diagnosed an ankle ligament problem.

"The Arsenal striker went to the hospital in Amsterdam on Sunday, where further examination (MRI scan) confirmed the diagnosis of the medical staff of the Netherlands team - Robin van Persie had a ruptured ligament of his right ankle.

"The medical staff of the KNVB contacted Arsenal club doctor Gary O'Driscoll the same Sunday to inform him about the outcome of the investigation and to transfer the medical record regarding this injury. The scan was also handed over to the medical staff of Arsenal.''