Arsenal's plans for the Champions League semi-final against Manchester United have been undermined by a groin injury to Robin van Persie that has ruled the forward out of the first leg at Old Trafford next Wednesday and rendered him a doubt for the return six days later. The long-term news is brighter, however, as Van Persie has agreed in principle to a new five-year contract.
Arsène Wenger, the manager, said that the Dutch striker was "definitely out for Sunday [against Middlesbrough in the Premier League] and for Manchester United", while he added that Gaël Clichy, the full-back, who has a back problem, would also miss the trip to Old Trafford. "Clichy could be back for the second Manchester United game," Wenger said. "He has a chance to be back in full training next week."
The losses, however, have been offset slightly by Manuel Almunia's quicker-than-expected recovery from an ankle injury. The goalkeeper is in contention to face Middlesbrough, as is Johan Djourou, who has also returned to full training after a knee complaint. Emmanuel Adebayor, Wenger said, should train tomorrow, after a slight hamstring problem, and he could feature in the squad for Sunday's match at the Emirates.
Van Persie might be missing one of the biggest games of his career but both he and the club expect a new five-year deal to be rubber stamped in the coming weeks. Van Persie, who has scored 18 goals during an encouraging season, has left negotiations in recent weeks to his representatives, respecting Wenger's call to focus on the business end of the campaign.
They have made great progress, though, with the club's new chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, whose meticulous and sure-footed style has impressed and, happily for Wenger and the club's supporters, Van Persie has been satisfied.
He has made no secret of his desire to be challenging for honours and competing with Europe's top teams and, with Arsenal established in the Premier League's Big Four and having reached the last four of the Champions League, Van Persie believes that the future is bright at the Emirates. "It wasn't that I thought Arsenal didn't have this vision," he said last week. "I always believed Arsenal had that."
Gazidis has also been involved in talks with Theo Walcott's representatives about a new deal for the England winger. Progress has been painstaking, with much dialogue back and forth between Gazidis and his own lawyers but, as with Van Persie, there is confidence that Walcott will sign. At the beginning of the month, Gazidis spoke bullishly about the captain Cesc Fábregas being "totally committed" to the club, despite interest in his signature from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
