Gunners suffer RVP blow

Van Persie: Injury blow

Arsenal have been left reeling after discovering star striker Robin van Persie has been sidelined for six weeks.

An ankle problem - sustained in the win over Blackburn - will keep the Dutchman on the touchlines for a significant spell.

The Gunners had hoped to have the frontman back in action swiftly but he will not feature in Saturday's home encounter with Bolton.

Van Persie will remain out until the middle of October, meaning boss Arsene Wenger has a void to fill in attack.

Wenger's team have made a strong start to the new campaign, taking seven points from a possible nine, but will be missing their key player with the start of the UEFA Champions League also on the horizon.

In a slight boost to the Frenchman, Samir Nasri should return to training this week.

Nasri sustained a knee injury in the opening day draw at Liverpool and was expected to be out for a month.

But the France international is expected to step up his recovery this week by taking part in full training as he returns ahead of schedule.