Arsenal have confirmed that Robin van Persie will be sidelined for a further four months after tests revealed he ruptured three of the four ligaments in his right ankle during a friendly between Netherlands and Italy.

Van Persie suffered the injury following a challenge from Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini earlier in the month and the club initially announced an encouraging diagnosis of a six-week recovery period due to a tear in one of his ligaments.

However, further examinations have revealed much more extensive damage and Van Persie had his ankle put in plaster on Friday. He will now undergo surgery on the problem and Arsenal anticipate that he will be unavailable for "four months".

"It is so frustrating to be out for months," Van Persie told AD Sportwereld. "I was having a super season with the team. I had never felt as strong and powerful as this year. Apart from, I think, two matches, I either scored or made goals in all the games we played this season.

"I was getting so strong, that I felt nobody could stop me anymore. That is the greatest feeling you can have as a player. It is such a pity that great run has been stopped for the time being by one kick in a friendly international match. It is a real shame for me, for the team and for the fans of Arsenal."