KNVB: We kept Arsenal informed

The Dutch football association claim they kept Arsenal fully informed about Robin van Persie’s ankle injury after Gunners boss Arsene Wenger accused them of “minimising” the seriousness of the problem.

Van Persie suffered ruptured ankle ligaments during Holland’s friendly against Italy in Pescara on November 14, and after a controversial treatment in a Serbian clinic involving placenta failed to improve the problem, it has now emerged that he requires surgery and faces up to five months on the sidelines.