Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie could miss three months or more of the English Premier League season after suffering torn ankle ligaments during the Netherlands 0-0 tie vs. Italy on Saturday.
Van Persie injured his right ankle after a hard challenge by Italy and Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini just 15 minutes into the friendly.
The injury is devastating news to a red-hot Arsenal team that was already coping with the loss to injury of Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner.
Here are some other stories from the weekend to get you through a somewhat slow Sunday in the soccer world:
MARADONA SUSPENDED TWO MONTHS
Argentina national team manager Diego Maradona has been hit with a two-month suspension by FIFA following his profanity-filled tirade following Argentina's qualification for the 2010 World Cup. Maradona lambasted critics on national television using obscene remarks, which led to FIFA imposing the suspension and a fine of almost $25,000.
The length of the suspension, which will run from Nov. 15, to Jan. 15, 2010, means it won't affect Maradona's ability to manage Argentina badly.
THOUSANDS GATHER FOR ENKE FUNERAL
About 40,000 fans gathered in Hannover's AWD Arena on Sunday for the funeral of Robert Enke, the German national team and Hannover 96 goalkeeper who died last week after committing suicide by jumping in front of a train.
U.S. national team and Hannover 96 defender Steve Cherundolo was one of six pall bearers who carried Enke's casket out of the stadium. German national team captain Michael Ballack, a life-long friend of Enke's, also took part in the funeral ceremony.
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What do you think of this news? Think Arsenal is cursed? Can the Gunners keep rolling without Van Persie? Think FIFA was too lenient on Maradona?
Share your thoughts below.
Stay Classy Italy, you Bastards.
Are Arsenal clamoring for compensation from the Dutch for Van Persie’s injury?
Didn’t think so.
God bless the Enke family. They’ve been through too much in the last couple of years.
I’d like to see a subtitled version of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4Y0iLoZrDw
kevin, why the ethnic slurs?
r u o.k with this sbi?
Van Rapist strikes again!
Arsenal do in fact appear to be cursed…
But even without van Persie for two months they’re still the best team in England this season and have a shout in Europe.
Van Persie is football’s version of the faberge egg. I hope Arsenal were never counting on him being healthy for the whole season.
Thank God! I was about to call it a season for Arsene (al)! Still bad but so much better than before!
lol homogeneous tub of lard
Good news. RVP only had a partial tear and will be out four to six weeks.
I believe it was “heterogeneous tub of lard” — but nicely played.
Well, the English also have a long tradition of self-hatred. This article clearly isn’t an example of that.
I’m no fan of Eye-ties and I’m just as gutted as you are but there’s no reason to blame Chiellini. Yes, it was a hard challenge but it certainly wasn’t dirty; Van Persie’s weight just happened to be entirely on his planted foot and the foot got twisted. Stuff happens, especially with RVP. If it was a Martin Taylor-esque challenge I’d fully support your proposal, but it wasn’t. Time for Eduardo and Arshavin to step up (and Vela, too, if he ever gets healthy.)
I’m not taking that bet. On the bright side the Bradley hating US fans could then ask for him to manage the US.
“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in being one homogenous tub of lard.”
Alexis de Tocqueville, [Democracy in America]
Well, if FIFA wants ticket revenue, there’s no better place than the US
They’ll be unveiled on February 1.
Unfortunately, I have a sneaking suspicion the USA won’t get 2018 or 2022. The failed Chicago bid left a bad taste in my mouth. The US has a heck of a bad image in the rest of the world, and — surprise — Bush’s 8 years of fun didn’t do much to improve that. I’d love to see it in the USA again, and don’t buy the argument that we “just had one in 1994.” We are a country the size of Europe, for crying out loud. The rest of the world thinks of us as one homogenous tub of lard, however.
HeHeHeHe
The British “media” biased toward England? What?! Yes, probably they are.
Russia too.
English paper did predictions of how FIFA members will vote for next World Cup:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6911630.ece
Is this serious or are they just heavily-biased toward England?
Denmark will be sporting new ones: http://www.footballshirtculture.com/10/11-kits/denmark-2010-2012-adidas-home-football-kit.html
what’s next news we hear from maradona?
😀
So Germany, France, Spain, Mexico, Poland, England, Brazil, etc. have had their new uniforms unveiled. When should we expect the USA’s? February, like in 2006?
is this maybe why cherundolo left the USMNT? maybe he needs a few days to himself
on the bright side it will be the most successful two months the argentine football association has had since he took over
Never, never play a friendly with Italy or Scotland.
If you get the urge just drive a nail through your hand instead.
Even money that maradona isn’t managing come World Cup time.
Third Arsenal player injured this season, in a pointless international friendly.
Chiellini should be brought to London in a sack, dumped in a city square, and Arsenal fans should be able to take turns kicking him in the shins.
– Scott