Van Persie injury blow for Arsenal

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LONDON, England -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is resigned to losing striker Robin van Persie for the rest of the season with a broken foot.

Wenger admitted that it was "likely" that the 23-year-old Dutch international would not return until next season.

Van Persie broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot in scoring the equalizer in Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League win over Manchester United on January 23.

"The end of April now looks optimistic," Wenger told Arsenal's Web site on Friday.

"It is likely he will be out for the season."

"We have spoken to the doctors and they told us the longer you keep this kind of fracture without playing, the less chance you have of a recurrence. So, if he can play only one or two games then we will not take a gamble."

Arsenal, who have been beaten in the final of the English League Cup and exited the Champions League, have already lost star striker Thierry Henry for the rest of the season with stomach and groin injuries.

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