Van Persie worry for Wenger

Striker given 20 per cent chance of facing Liverpool

Last updated: 3rd April 2008

Arsene Wenger woe Manchester United v Arsenal FA Cup

Wenger: Injury woes

Arsene Wenger admits he could be without both Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor for Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Van Persie has only a 20 per cent chance of making the lunchtime showdown after suffering a thigh injury in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw at Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal boss also has major concerns over the fitness of Adebayor, who has an ankle problem.

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "If you ask me for my gut feeling right now I would say no, Robin won't play.

Scan

"At the moment it is 80 per cent no and 20 per cent yes. But he has had a scan this afternoon and he is better today than he was last night. That is positive for a muscle problem. But we'll know much more about it on Friday morning.

"We also have Adebayor who has a little ankle problem. We'll see how he is tomorrow.

"I hope he'll be OK. But the time is so short between the games it is very difficult to make a decision the morning after the game.

"You don't know if it is a bruise or a little twist and the first 24 hours doesn't tell you a lot about that."

Wenger already accepts he will be without both Bacary Sagna and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) for Saturday's re-match with Rafa Benitez's men and next Wednesday's Champions League second leg at Anfield.

But the Gunners boss hopes he will have Sagna (ankle) back for the Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday week.

Good progress

Wenger added: "They will not be back for the Liverpool games. But Sagna is making good progress. Manchester United is the earliest for him.

"We are trying everything we can to get him back for that game. But we'll know more when he starts to run outside and he has not begun that."