Late test for Van Persie

Van Persie: In training

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Robin van Persie will undergo a fitness test ahead of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League clash with Barcelona.

"Personally I would like him to play if possible, but I will only play him if he is 100 per cent fit."
Arsene Wenger on Robin van Persie Quotes of the week

It was thought that the Holland international would certainly miss Tuesday's last-16 return leg at Camp Nou, a match in which the Gunners hold a 2-1 aggregate advantage.

Van Persie injured his knee in scoring Arsenal's leveller in the Carling Cup final against Birmingham and it was revealed he would miss at least a month's action.

However, the 27-year-old has made a remarkable recovery and it comes as a huge surprise that he could even feature against the Spanish giants.

Van Persie was keen to fly to Barcelona to give himself every chance of playing and, while Wenger says he is undecided on whether to include him in his match squad, the signs look positive.

Test

"He is here as a player and will have a test (Tuesday)," explained Wenger.

"Whether he has been included in the squad has not yet been decided. He has made quick progression in the last three days.

"This (Monday) morning he was unlikely to travel, but he wanted to go, so he had a test and it was quite positive."

Wenger insisted: "We will not take a gamble in a game of such importance. It will be fit or not fit.

"Personally I would like him to play if possible, but I will only play him if he is 100 per cent fit."