Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has undergone a change of heart over Robin van Persie’s participation in Holland’s friendly against Turkey next week, by admitting the striker could play 45 minutes in order to help him regain his match fitness.
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk included Van Persie in his squad for Wednesday’s game despite Wenger’s insistence the striker was not fit having just returned from a 10-week injury lay-off.
Van Marwijk criticised Wenger for “moaning” about Van Persie’s availability but the Gunners boss now seems willing to sit down with the Holland manager and hammer out a deal that will see the 27-year-old forward play half of Wednesday’s friendly in Amsterdam.
“We will sit down with Robin and the Dutch manager to sort that out,” said Wenger.
“On one side this situation was completely surreal 10 or 12 days ago.
“Now, he is still not completely there but if he can get 45 minutes and we can find an agreement on that, it would be good for him to get some competition.
“We will have to see how he gets through the weekend and after we will decide that.”
Van Marwijk, who also called up Mark van Bommel despite protests from his club Bayern Munich, said he did not foresee any problems with selecting the pair.
He said: “They are both back in full training and declared fit by their club.
“Van Persie has played and Van Bommel will probably play next weekend.
“They want to choose, they love playing for the Oranje.
“At their clubs there are so many players away next week they can only do individual training.
“With us they can be with the whole group. It will also benefit their clubs.”
