Arsene Wenger hopes there is a "little chance" that striker Robin
van Persie will return to action before the end of the season.
The Dutchman has been out since suffering what turned out to
be a serious ankle injury while on international duty with Holland
during November.
Van Persie, who had scored eight goals in 15 appearances
before his injury setback, has made a good recovery.
Wenger remains cautiously optimistic the Holland forward
could yet play some part in the Gunners' final couple of matches of
the season, when they hope to still be chasing domestic and
European honours.
"There is still a little chance for Robin van Persie this
season," Wenger revealed in his programme notes for the Barclays
Premier League clash with West Ham.
"We are following his progress and physically he is quite
sharp, but once he is ready to kick the ball again and returns from
his rehabilitation, it will still take him another three weeks.
"This means that, even if he came back next week, adding
another three weeks on would still take him nearly into May."
Wenger also revealed midfielder Aaron Ramsey was "in a better
state" as the 19-year-old recovers from a double broken leg
suffered in a tackle with Stoke's Ryan Shawcross.
The Wales international was back at the training ground on a
visit this week to help boost his morale.
"He is walking unaided, which has been requested medically,
and is in a better state now," Wenger said.
"There is no euphoria, but just to get in touch with your
team-mates rather than sitting at home helps you when you are in
that kind of situation.
"He is a strong boy, but of course you cannot demand that a
football player is happy when he cannot play football."
