Arsenal striker Robin van Persie is confident the ankle injury he suffered against Italy on the weekend isn't as bad as first thought.

Despite initial reports suggesting he could be out for most of the season, the Dutchman says he should be back by January at the latest.

"The prognosis is that I will be out for four to six weeks," van Persie told the Dutch television station NOS.

Van Persie suffered the injury after just ten minutes of Holland's international friendly with Italy following a tackle from Azzurri stopper Giorgio Chiellini.

The forward has scored eight goals in his last 11 matches for the Gunners, who currently sit second on the Barclays Premier League table.