Robin Van Persie injured for the rest of the season

Van Persie, 23, injured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot after scoring the equaliser in the 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Wenger said: "Ideally you would say six to eight weeks - but it could be 10”.

“That means April and you are close to the end of the season. I hope it will be six - but that's really optimistic."

Van Persie had been named on the bench after struggling to overcome an ankle problem but was sent on midway through the second half against United as Arsenal sought to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

And he brought his side level seven minutes from time when he converted Tomas Rosicky's right-wing cross. Thierry Henry won the game with a stoppage-time header.