Van Persie fighting to face Rovers

ARSENAL are hopeful Robin van Persie could be available for Saturday’s Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers despite the striker injuring his left thigh playing for Holland on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old was replaced at half-time of the Euro 2012 qualifier with Hungary in Amsterdam, after being floored by a tackle from Vilmos Vanczak.

Netherlands boss Bert van Marwijk said of Van Persie’s hopes of making an immediate return: “With luck he could play for Arsenal this weekend. Robin got a knee to his thigh. It didn’t look very serious but it was too painful for him to carry on as he was hit by a knee above his own knee.”

Van Persie was yesterday assessed by Arsenal’s medical team and the seriousness of the injury is expected to become clearer today. Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Abou Diaby and Alex Song could all return to face Blackburn, although Johan Djourou, Thomas Vermaelen and the goalkeepers Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski remain on the injured list.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger must decide whether to stick with Manuel Almunia in goal or select Jens Lehmann for the first time since 2008. The 41-year-old played for Arsenal’s reserve side in a 2-1 defeat by Wigan Athletic on Tuesday and declared the experience a qualified success.

“It was very beneficial for me to play a game,” he said.

“It is always good to learn a little bit what I could have done better. There are some situations that you can’t play in a training game because in a real game there is a referee, linesmen.

“It was a good experience.”

Despite being held to a second consecutive draw a fortnight ago at West Brom, where they had trailed 2-0, all is not yet lost for the Gunners, who, if they win their remaining fixtures — which include a showdown against United at Emirates Stadium on May 1 — would be crowned Premier League champions.

“I am confident the consistency at the end of the season will be rewarded, so let’s focus on keeping our run going and winning our next game,” said Wenger, whose men have not lost in the league since going down 1-0 at Old Trafford on December 13.

“Things can change very quickly, and what is important for us is to get back winning, which is what our squad needs at the moment — the psychological lift of coming back from 2-0 down was vital for our next game against Blackburn.”