Robin van Persie has been sidelined for Arsenal until the end of the year after suffering damage to ankle ligaments in Netherlands' friendly with Italy at the weekend, the English club confirmed on Monday.
Van Persie, who has scored eight times for the Gunners this season, will be sorely missed, particularly as Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner is also currently out of action by a groin injury.
A statement from Arsenal said the 26-year-old striker would be out of action for "approximately six weeks," and manager Arsene Wenger will now have to rely heavily on Brazilian-born Croatia striker Eduardo.
Arsenal's Robin Van Persie celebrates scoring a goal against Stoke City during their English Premier League soccer match at the Emirates Stadium in London May 24, 2009.
Among the games van Persie will miss is the Nov. 29 visit of Premier League leaders Chelsea, who have injury problems of their own following the international week.
Frank Lampard will definitely miss the Arsenal match while skipper John Terry is hoping to recover more quickly from the achilles injury he suffered on duty with England in Qatar last week.