Wenger hits out at international friendlies
Arsene Wenger has once again criticised international friendlies after Dutch striker Robin Van Persie was injured during a recent match against Italy.
The 26-year-old suffered ankle ligament damage and is now likely to remain sidelined until April at the earliest.
Wenger has now revealed that the Gunners will be seeking compensation from the Dutch Football Federation and he has called for a ban on all friendlies taking place during the domestic season.
Prior to Sunday’s win over Liverpool the Frenchman said: “I believe that the friendlies during the season should be banned”.
“Contrary to what people say I believe they are made to make money and for diplomatic purposes, for political purposes.”
Wenger’s anger over the Van Persie injury will have been further fuelled by a misdiagnosis from the national team doctors. Despite the seriousness of the damage, it was originally announced that the forward would be out for just a few weeks.
Wenger explained: “Initially, the Dutch FA said it was a small problem and Robin called me to see if he could go and see this Serbian wonder doctor and it was okay.
“It was only when he came back here that we realised there was much more damage. In Holland they have a fight between the national doctor and the guy that did the surgery on Robin.”
Arsenal will now be hoping to receive compensation for the incident and the Gunners boss added: “We are working on this with our lawyers and we are definitely going for it.
“I expect compensation for the damage it can make to the championship.”
Indeed, the injury is likely to have had some impact on Arsenal’s Premier League odds.
Van Persie’s striking replacement, Andrey Arshavin has continued to flourish in a more central role, scoring the winner against Liverpool. However, with more than half of the season to go, and ground still to be made up on leaders Chelsea, Wenger will be hoping that the damage he talks of does not prove to be critical.
Meanwhile, sporting pundits have already turned their eyes to the 2010 Cheltenham Festival as they weigh up the prospects of the likely runners at the event.
