Friday Feb 29 2008 10:51
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has vowed to be patient with Robin van Persie despite the blow of losing Eduardo da Silva for the rest of the season.
Croatia striker Eduardo is out of action for at least nine months after suffering a badly broken leg in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.
However, Wenger will not rush van Persie back into action after an injury-plagued campaign.
The Netherlands striker, who hasn't featured since aggravating a thigh muscle problem in the Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham on January 9, will play no part against Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
"We will not rush Robin van Persie back, but the news is quite good," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"It is difficult to say, we go step by step, but he should come back into normal training very, very quickly now.
"Maybe I am being a little over-cautious in my statements, but I do not want to put any special pressure on him."
Elsewhere, the Gunners will be without Kolo Toure (knee), Alex Song (knee), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) and Johan Djourou (groin), while EmManUel Eboue is suspended.
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