Van Persie in metatarsal woe

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie will be out of action for “at least six weeks” after breaking the fifth metatarsal in his right foot against Manchester United on Sunday.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger admits the loss of the 23-year-old Holland international, who scored the equaliser in the 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium, is “a big blow”.

“We have lost Robin van Persie for a while,” Wenger told the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com.

“How long, I don’t really know. It will be six weeks at least, if not more.

“It is a big blow because Robin has been on fire. He has had a great season until now.”