Crocked Robin van Persie could miss three months for Arsenal

Robin van Persie has dealt Arsenal's title hopes a huge blow after being ruled out for up to three months.

Striker van Persie was stretchered off after just ten minutes of Holland's friendly in Pescara after suffering a bad ankle injury in a heavy challenge with Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Van Persie was yesterday flown to Amsterdam to see renowned Dutch specialist Professor Niek van Dijk who has also treated Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Owen and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

It is believed there was not a fracture but van Persie has badly ruptured ligaments in his right ankle.

Van Persie did leave the game on crutches and has told Arsenal that he is hoping it is just severe ligament damage but it will still mean a long lay off.

If Professor van Dijk's diagnosis is positive then early fears of a break and potentially lay off for the rest of the season will be allayed. Arsenal are likely to send one of their own medical staff out to Amesterdam once the scans are assessed.

It will be a hammer blow for the Gunners to be without one of their star performers this season – van Persie has been a major part of their flying start to the campaign.

Van Persie has scored eight goals and Arsenal are also short of cover with Nicklas Bendtner out until the New Year after undergoing groin surgery.

It leaves only Eduardo as their main striker while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger may be tempted to move into the January transfer market.

But Bordeaux insist they will not sell Arsenal their number one target Marouane Chamakh in January.

Chamakh is out of contract next summer and Arsenal would not meet the £8m price tag in January which Wenger must now be regretting.

Wenger had been wanting to rest van Persie fearing too many games would take their toll on the injury prone striker and nearly left him out at Wolves in their last game.

While the injury sustained after Chiellini - ironically who had been scouted by Arsenal - made a strong challenge was bad luck that will not stop Wenger's frustration and annoyance.

Holland boss Bert van Marwijk said: 'The first diagnosis is a bad ankle injury. It's terrible news for Robin, not good news for Holland or his club.'

A Dutch FA spokesman added: 'We think it's ligaments and the medical staff are not talking about a broken bone. The doctors will tell us for sure what the damage is and the prognosis, but it doesn't look good.'

Arsenal already have the smallest squad compared to title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United and the double blow of losing van Persie and Bendtner for long lay offs will really hit Wenger's hopes.

Wenger had warned of a 'nasty November' deciding whether Arsenal can last the pace in the title race because of a mounting injury list, fixture pile up and heavier pitches.

Sadly for Arsenal, Wenger's worst fears now appear to have been recognised and November has once again delivered a crushing blow to the Gunners.