Arsenal Football Club

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60432

Wenger admits Van mistake

19 Jan 2008 - 10:44:05

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has accepted that his club made a mistake in rushing forward Robin van Persie back into action after a thigh injury.

The 24-year-old Netherlands international lasted just 45 minutes of the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Spurs and now faces another month on the sidelines, having struggled earlier this season with a knee injury.

Wenger admitted: "We do not think it would be a long-term problem.

"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 on the night.

"This time we will have to be very patient.

"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."