Official Arrival of the Arsenal Injury Crisis?

One of the many discussions I have with fellow rival fans, particularly the Liverpool supporters, who always convince themselves that they ARE more than just Gerrard and Torres, is an argument regarding the true impact of injury to various key personnel in the team, and whether this has a telling effect on the team's final standings at the end of the campaign. Speaking of the Liverpool supporters' conviction that they would be in a much healthier position had they had all their star players team fit and available, I find myself swaggeringly downplaying that premise, arguing that a good team and a great club like Liverpool should have the squad depth to cope with absences, and compete at the highest level.

And, sure enough, as I had just absorbed an enthralling World Cup qualifier full of passion and last-minute drama, I heard the news.

The news that will sure have made Gooners' hearts sink to their balls (and elsewhere if you haven't got any). For the first opportunity of a useless international friendly and, with the loss of our talismanic striker to a damaging ankle injury, I was given a sharp reminder of what the Liverpool fans meant by not losing any of your best players. Your very best players.

At the time of writing, all we know of van Persie's injury is that it is enough to have him sidelined for a minimal two months, although the Daily Mail in their infinitely trademark wisdom had initially decided to put out an "out for the season" headline, as if his foot had practically come off! Two months. A potential ten goals and five assists from a man enjoying the form of his life, and climbing his way to becoming one of the world's very best.

With that, it would be natural to think that we are well and truly done for the season's title aspirations, with a grueling Christmas and New Year fixture list to come, including the titanic clash against Chelsea .

This is where we are different from Liverpool , and dare I say it, Chelsea and Manchester United . For Liverpool 's answer to a Torres injury is inauspiciously ineffective in the static Voronin and the immature Ngog, this is where we must demonstrate our quality and strength-in-depth.

And, without the need to reel off a list of possible alternatives to cover for van Persie in the centre forward's position until his welcome return; it is fair to say that the man most likely to benefit from the Dutch wizard's absence is none other than the "fox in the box". It is also fair to say that Eduardo has had a mixed season so far. Having started off with a fruitful cameo at Everton , his reputation was then somewhat tarnished (wrongly) by a desperate Celtic and an ineptly bureaucratic UEFA for a simple fall when in on goal. Since then, it has been difficult to pinpoint the No. 9's form, though, one should point to niggles and the lack of starting opportunities.

However, there is no doubting the man's class and finishing ability, both of which were on display in the Molineux mauling, although Wolves' Jody Craddock irksomely decided to get in the way of his sumptuous lob for our second.

All of which should set him, and ourselves, up for a perfect opportunity to frustrate the parties who will have no doubt celebrated van Persie's crocking, giving him a straight run of games in the Premier League for the first time since his horrific injury in February last year.

van Persie's injury is gutting, and as I mentioned, was enough to considerably spoil my Saturday night; however, the likes of Eduardo have the ability to step up to the plate and accentuate the strength-in-depth that Wenger had built up over the last few years. And now is the time to show it, and save our Premier League dream.

And, as we pray and hope that we avoid a blip associated with this piece of sorry news, one must feel sorry for the man himself. Having rid himself of his petty injury curse, van Persie was finally looking the part, on course to top the goal scoring and assists charts, mirroring his legendary predecessor, Henry, not to mention his endless contribution to the team's link-up play and developing his upper body strength to effectively hold up the ball against stubborn defenses.

The key to success is noting that whilst van Persie's absence will undoubtedly hurt the team, it will not, or at least should not jeopardize us. A clear example of how this is a team sport, and how we can withstand the pressures of competing at the highest level, bearing in mind our long unbeaten run during Fabregas' four-month lay-off last season.

The time is right to give a practical demonstration of our depth and total football, where Eduardo can slot in for van Persie, Diaby for Song, Rosicky for Arshavin, etc. etc. And as van Persie starts his journey back to fitness, the time is right to strengthen the belief that our depth in quality will prevail, whilst at the same time putting Wenger's transfer policy under the microscope. And in that respect, the time is right to right many such wrongs, and give the doubters the perfect response for the impending injury crisis.

A response that simply reads... what crisis?