Call-up for injured Van Persie is 'surreal'

Robin van Persie may play for Arsenal before Holland’s friendly on November 17 but Arsène Wenger still believes it is “surreal” to call up the injured striker.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk announced his squad for the match with Turkey on Thursday. The selection of Van Persie seems odd given the 27-year-old has been out since August with an ankle problem and only returned to training on Friday.

Straight after taking that session, Wenger held his usual Friday press conference and expressed his surprise at the situation.

“It's a friendly game,” he said. “It's not a qualification game. You treat the friendlies in a different way than you would the qualifiers. It is an opportunity for managers to try out new players. England will do it and France will do it. That's what friendlies are for.

“So for me the situation is a bit surreal because he hasn't played for us. He has to show that he can play.

“There's a chance [he will play before the game] if all goes well. He's had one session today and we'll see how he reacts to that session. But we watch him day by day, so how he can play for Holland I don't know.”