Van Persie handed a break

Published Nov. 13, 2011 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Gunners boss has been keen to keep his captain and star striker in peak condition and has opted to only name him among the substitutes on occasions in recent weeks. Wenger had hoped that Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk would not use the in-form forward against Switzerland on Friday and in Tuesday's clash. But while the international supremo would not bow to that request and selected Van Persie in Friday's 0-0 draw, he agreed to rest the 28-year-old for their second fixture and he is now heading back to Emirates Stadium. Van Persie has suffered from various injury problems in recent seasons and Holland made their decision after fitness checks on the forward showed he would benefit from the break. Van Marwijk said: "Arsene asked me if I could leave Robin out of both games. "I had a good meeting with Wenger and we reached an agreement he would only play on Friday. After that we would send him back. "I won't use Robin against the Germans. Robin is at the limit according to various measurements - for that reason we have decided to give him a rest."