Champions League blow as injury jinx returns for Van Persie
Robin van Persie looks set to miss Saturday lunchtime s Barclays Premier League home game against Liverpool after his injury jinx struck again, writes Jem Maidment. The Holland striker failed to reappear after half-time of Wednesday s 1-1 draw with the Me
Robin van Persie looks set to miss Saturday lunchtime's Barclays Premier League home game against Liverpool after his injury jinx struck again, writes Jem Maidment.
The Holland striker failed to reappear after half-time of Wednesday's 1-1 draw with the Merseysiders in their Champions League quarter- final after suffering a thigh injury.
Van Persie, who also missed half of last season, came back from another long lay-off last month against Wigan and returned to scoring form in Saturday's 3-2 win at Bolton.
Previously he had missed all of November with a knee injury.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "It doesn't look too bad but we took him off as a precaution.
"But I still feel he will be short [of fitness] for the next game and maybe for the other one [Anfield next Tuesday]".
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Emmanuel Adebayor headed Arsenal into the lead midway through the first half but Dirk Kuyt levelled for Liverpool just three minutes later when he bundled over from close range after a surging run and cross from Steven Gerrard.
But Kuyt was at the centre of huge controversy later when he appeared to haul down Alexander Hleb in the area.
Dutch referee Pieter Vink gave his compatriot the benefit of the doubt and only signalled for a corner - a decision that baffled Wenger.
"It is difficult to understand how we did not win it as we had lots of possession and lots of chances," he added.
"We were unlucky as well with the big decision of the referee on the penalty, and in a game like that it is difficult to take but we have to swallow it.
"He [the referee] was five yards away from Kuyt."
Cesc Fabregas almost looked to have earned Arsenal a vital advantage shortly after as the Gunners piled on the pressure in a roaring second half display - only for team-mate Nicklas Bendtner to accidentally clear the ball off the line.
