Arsenal rocked by injury to Robin van Persie

Arsene Wenger has had his run-ins in the past with international managers, having lost players of the calibre of Thierry Henry to injuries picked up while on duty with their countries. So he won't have been surprised - but will still be furious - that he has lost the services of one of his most sparkling attacking players, Robin van Persie, for up to six weeks.

The Dutchman ruptured his ankle ligament within the first fifteen minutes of a niggly 0-0 'friendly' against Italy and was subsitituted after a robust challenge by Giorgio Chiellini. After the game in Pescara he was flown to the Dutch national team's medical centre in Amsterdam, where the injury was diagnosed. "The prognosis is that I will be out for four to six weeks," the 26-year-old told reporters.

Wenger has now lost two attackers in the space of a week, after the Dane Nicklas Bendtner was operated on for a groin condition last Wednesday. It leaves him with just two recognised forwards left at the club, Eduardo da Silva and Carlos Vela, and the Croatian was reported at the weekend to be the target for a bid from Liverpool. The French manager may begin to curse not having bought any strikers over the summer transfer window, when the club were linked to talents such as Marouane Chamakh.

But then again, maybe not, as another member of the Emirates set-up showed off his devastating attacking skills for his country. Aaron Ramsey, just 18 and already a seasoned full international player for Wales, set up two goals and scored a sensational solo effort as the Dragons rolled over Scotland 3-0 with all goals coming during the first half.

Comparisons with Welsh greats such as Duncan Edwards were bandied about after the game about the player who Arsene Wenger picked up for £5m last year from Cardiff City, beating Manchester United and Everton to his signature. His international colleague David Edwards tried to put the youngster's performance into perspective after the game.

"Aaron's already a great, great player," said Edwards. "And he's going to be one of the best in Europe when he reaches his prime. I played (for Wolves) against him last week and he was probably Arsenal's best player. He can go on and be as good as Fabregas, definitely. Fabregas is one of the best midfielders in the world, so it's a big comparison to make. But he's got little touches that Fabregas hasn't." ·