Wenger expects extended Van Persie injury layoff

“The second thing that is very important in the first stage after surgery is, has he an infection or not? He hasn’t. The third thing is patience. At the moment, he cannot do anything, he is just sitting at home waiting until he can work again. The first two steps have been very successful.”

Before being stretchered off 10 minutes into the friendly following a heavy challenge by defender Giorgio Chiellini,

Arsenal was still seeking compensation from the Dutch Football Federation over the loss of its forward and the way it has damaged its chances of winning the Premier League.

However, under an agreement between FIFA and its European counterpart, UEFA, clubs will be compensated if players are injured in World Cup or European Championship final matches, but there is nothing in place for qualifiers, friendlies or other international matches. If Van Persie were to miss the rest of the season, it would also put his place at the 2010 World Cup in doubt, with the tournament set to start on June 11.

The Netherlands starts its campaign in South Africa with a Group E tie against Denmark on June 14. With such an important member of his strike force out, Wenger is likely to add to his squad in the transfer market in January and the Frenchman admitted that he would have no problem signing a player who is Cup-tied for the Champions League, just as he did in signing Andrey Arshavin last January.

“We are going for the domestic title and the FA Cup as well and doing that allows you to rest a player for the Champions League or play another player in the Premier League,” he said. “Of course, I would prefer the player who can play in both competitions and so it would mean the player has the quality to play in the long-term for Arsenal Football Club.

“But we have an interested eye on the transfer window and if the right player turns up, we will do it. Sometimes you think that is a bargain you cannot turn down and don’t forget Arshavin got us in the Champions League last season.”