Arsenal Injury Update: Van Persie, Ramsey & More….

Arsenal travel North to face Liverpool in the early Saturday kick off this weekend off the back of a mid week round of international fixtures which always leave club managers nervously awaiting their players return.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has given an injury update to Arsenal.com and the news is relatively positive. There are no fresh injury concerns from mid week and Wenger confirmed that Robin van Persie was planned to only play the first half of Holland’s game against England to protect the striker from burn out.

Therefore, RVP is available for the Liverpool game despite reports that he had aggravated a groin injury (update: Wenger is now quoted by ESPN as saying RVP is a doubt for the Liverpool game). Johan Djourou is on the road to recovery and could be fit to face Milan while Wenger took time to praise Andre Santos for his attitude during his recovery from injury, and revealed the Brazilian will be back training in two weeks.

The news is not so positive for midfielder Aaron Ramsey who has been ruled out for at least the next two games with an ankle injury, while Francis Coquelin is around four weeks away from fitness.

Here is the injury update Arsène Wenger’s gave on Arsenal.com:

on the situation after the internationals…

So far it is OK, we have no injuries from Wednesday night. Everybody looks alright.

on Van Persie coming off at half time…

It was planned by his manager because he knows we have a tough schedule. We are the only team in the world who plays Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday.

on Aaron Ramsey (ankle)…

It is too early for him, he has no chance for the weekend. He will be out for Milan as well.

on Johan Djourou (thigh)…

He is not far. He could be OK for Milan maybe.

on Andre Santos (ankle)…

He is doing good, he is not far as well – two weeks away from returning to the group. It is a bit ahead of time and he works with a fantastic attitude. He is unbelievably focused, motivated every day and he is a credit to himself. It is a joy to see how hard he works and sets himself targets. In two weeks we will assess how well he is doing in training.

on Francis Coquelin (hamstring)…

He is four weeks away.