Robin Van Persie will be out for longer than expected.

After a new scan and study in hospital, it was discovered that three of the four ligaments in his right ankle were ruptured in the friendly international game between Holland and Italy.

The Arsenal striker had his ankle put in plaster yesterday [Friday] and will be operated on by one of the world’s most renowned ankle specialists very soon. Van Persie is expected to be out for another four months.

During his time with the Dutch national team, and shortly after the tackle by Giorgio Chiellini in Pescara, doctors diagnosed that Van Persie had only a tear in one of the ligaments in his right ankle. He would be out for six weeks.

The healing of that kind of injury could be speeded up, according to his Dutch team-mate Orlando Engelaar and Van Persie’s former team mate at PSV Eindhoven, Danko Lazovic, if he would use the skills of Mariana Kovacevic.

The player could not know the damage in his right ankle was more severe. “If I had known at the time what I know now, I would have been operated [on] immediately,’’ Van Persie says in his home in Rotterdam, where he sits with his leg up and his ankle in plaster. “We have all been steered in the wrong direction.’’

However the Dutch international does not regret his visit to Kovacevic.

He says: “In the area of torn muscles and partly torn ligaments she has treated players in the majority of cases with success. A number of Liverpool and Chelsea players have all benefited from her treatments. They were all back on the pitch in a very short time.

“As I was enjoying a fantastic period with Arsenal and the first official diagnosis from the doctors was that I would be out for six weeks, I wanted to bring that period back to three or four weeks.

“But the ligaments in my ankle were completely ruptured. That’s why the treatment in Serbia, we know now, never had the chance to be successful from the start.

“I have never wanted to go for alternative medical help before. Normally I am too cool for that kind of thing.

“But because I wanted to grab every opportunity to get fit again and to be back on the pitch with Arsenal, I decided to have a go. If it does not help me, it won’t harm me either. That was my motto.

“I had the treatment methods checked intensively before I went out there. I demanded to know if there was any way it could do any damage. It couldn’t. Which is why I went.

“A lot has been said and written about it. But the method of treatment in Serbia is not a bizarre thing. I did not have anything injected in my body. The treatment was solely on the surface.’’

Van Persie says he did underestimate the impact of his visit to Serbia. “People say I should have kept it quiet. But because I always want to be honest and I felt as if I had nothing to hide, I wanted to be open about it.

“I was in continuous contact with the medical staff at Arsenal, with whom I have an excellent relationship. In fact, I admire our medical people at the club for giving me the chance to work on a really fast return into the team. A lot of other people made comments without having any knowledge of the treatment methods in Serbia.’’

Van Persie says he understands the curiosity after the injury moment in the friendly against Italy. He is the star striker of the Netherlands and one of the main attackers at Arsenal.

“But I was surprised by the hype and some of the bizarre comments. All those people forget I only had one goal with all this: I wanted to get back in the team at Arsenal as quick as possible.’’

Van Persie now knows he needs to be patient.

“It is so frustrating to be out for months. 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.’’

Van Persie hopes he can still play a major role in Arsenal’s season. The team, he feels, deserve a trophy. “I want to wish them luck against Chelsea this weekend. I hope the boys keep believing in themselves. I am absolutely convinced they will keep improving and keep the good form of the last few months going.’’

Robin says he feels supported by the positive reactions he has received since damaging his ankle.

“In Serbia complete strangers came up to me to wish me well. In London, the same thing. In Amsterdam, at the AMC hospital, everyone told me I had been so unlucky. People tell me they want to enjoy watching me play again soon for Arsenal. That has really lifted my spirit in a difficult time.’’

The article is translated from an interview in Saturday's AD Sportwereld.