Arsenal dealt further injury blow

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of their tie with top of the league Chelsea with the news that Robin van Persie is set to miss five months of the season (Arsenal 17/10 for victory on Stan James' English football coupon).

The Dutch striker sustained an ankle injury during Holland's game against Italy earlier in November and was initially expected to miss six weeks.

Scans on the affected area have shown the injury is worse than first diagnosed and van Persie will need surgery to repair the ligaments, which means he could be out for up to five months.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called for his side to be composed without their top league goal scorer in the Chelsea (13/8 for victory, 9/4 draw) clash, despite the fact the West London side could stretch their advantage over the Gunners in the Premier League title race with victory.

"We must believe in our own strengths. We have enough strength in our locker to beat anybody in the world, and not to worry or care too much about the opponent," said Wenger.

The absence of van Persie further intensifies a potential injury crisis for Wenger, as Nicklas Bendtner, Gael Clichy, Abou Diaby, Johan Djourou, Keiran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere are all in the treatment room.

William Gallas is the latest name to suffer, having sustained a swollen eye during Arsenal's midweek Champions League victory over Standard Liege (Arsenal 7/1 to win the Champions League), and his place in the side against Chelsea could be taken by Mikael Silvestre.