Wenger hoping for Van Persie surprise

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident that striker Robin van Persie will make a full recovery from a serious ankle injury, but does not expect the Dutchman to return to action this season. The Netherlands forward damaged ankle ligaments in a friendly international against Italy last month and is expected to be out for at least five months following surgery. - Arsenal home - Premier League Table That means that van Persie will play little or no part in the rest of the Gunners' campaign, but Wenger has no fears about the longer-term prognosis. He told The Times: "When you have such a big surgery, the opinion of the surgeon is important. Will he be the player he was before? We had a clear answer, 'yes'. "At the moment, he can't do anything. He's just sitting at home and waiting to work again. "It's virtually the rest of the season, but I haven't said that to Robin. Hopefully, we'll have a good surprise."

Source: DSG