Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger happy to let Robin van Persie try placenta treatment
20 Nov 2009 - 19:30:54
Van Persie injured an ankle early in Holland's friendly against Italy last week and was made aware of a clinic, run by physiotherapist Marijana Kovacevic, that uses horse placenta to treat an injured area.
Van Persie was told of the treatment by Holland team-mate Orlando Engelaar after suffering a partial rupture of ankle ligaments against Italy.
Related ArticlesSunderland v Arsenal: match previewThe Daily Bung: Can horse healer get Van back on the road?Robin van Persie seeks 'magic' cure'Sunderland capable of upsetting Arsenal'Eduardo signs new contract with ArsenalSport on television"I'm not a fan, but I'm not a doctor either," said Wenger, who will be without Van Persie for six weeks. "I respect the freedom of everybody to be treated in the way they want to be treated.
"Since I've been in sport, when a guy is injured his first reflex is to go to their home country. When I had English players in France, they wanted to go back to England. It's a question of confidence.
"Robin is exactly the same. He wanted to be treated in Holland because that's where he is most confident.
"The positive news is that they [initially] called me telling me he could be out for the rest of the season but he didn't need surgery so it'll be four to six weeks. We'll say six.
"I leave the responsibility to the medical people. I ask if there is any danger to do it, they say no, so OK, let him go. Sometimes it can be psychological for the players to feel they can be helped.
Arsenal visit Sunderland attempting to continue their impressive form in front of goal, but while Van Persie is out, Theo Walcott and Denilson could return.
Walcott has only started one game all season, while Denilson has been missing with a back injury since September.
