• Premier League

Van Persie named in squad for Barcelona trip

ESPN staff
March 7, 2011
Robin van Persie has been named in Arsenal's squad for the trip to Barcelona © Getty Images
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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has been named in Arsenal's squad for the trip to Barcelona on Tuesday after successfully coming through training on Monday.

Van Persie had initially been ruled out of the trip to the Nou Camp after injuring his knee while scoring against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final last month. But, after coming through running and ball drills in Monday's training session, manager Arsene Wenger felt confident enough to name him in his travelling party for the Champions League last 16 second leg, with the forward facing a fitness test on Tuesday morning to determine whether he will play any part in the tie.

"He is here as a player and will have a test tomorrow," Wenger said. "Whether he has been included in the squad has not yet been decided.

"He has made quick progression in the last three days. This morning he was unlikely to travel, but he wanted to go, so he had a test and it was quite positive.

"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% fit.''

Van Persie is one of 19 players that have flown to Spain - with Cesc Fabregas also among them - meaning one player will miss out on the final 18-man matchday squad when it is finally selected.

The Netherlands international had previously returned to his homeland for treatment on the injury that kept him out of Arsenal's last Premier League game against Sunderland.

The initial prognosis was not good, with Wenger expecting his star striker to be out of action until the international break at the end of March. Speaking after the Carling Cup final on February 27, Wenger said: "I am not a specialist but he overstretched his knee at the back when he made the volley [to score against Birmingham].

"He got kicked or blocked by the defender and overstretched when he hit the ball. In fact we lost Van Persie after 30 minutes, we tried to keep him going in the second half but he was injured.

"It is a ligament at the back of the knee, a tear in the ligament. It is three to four weeks, I take the short delay because I am an optimist but it could be four. As well it is the international break during that period so whether it is three or four [weeks], for us it is the same."

The game comes too soon for injured Alex Song, however, who has been omitted from the squad as widely expected.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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