Will Robin Van Persie Return To Arsenal the Same Player?

Injuries. The constant thorn in any sport. One tear and your career lies in the dirt.

For many seasons it seemed just before Arsenal's Robin van Persie was about to hit his peak he would falter to an injury. The Dutchman would begin scoring a host of incredible goals before succumbing to a season ending injury.

Van Persie has watched many Arsenal strikers leave, the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, and Jose Reyes have all departed the Emirates whilst he has been a consistent presence for Arsene Wenger.

Then last season the 26-year-old managed to stay fit for the season and as expected he performed to his peak. The Dutch sharp shooter reached a career best 20 goals in the 2008/2009 campaign as well as having a neat 11 assists to his name.

Not only was the former Feyenoord striker a predominant goalscorer for the Gunners, van Persie also took on a main leadership role. With a full fit season under his belt the footballing World was now firmly clear of what van Persie could with the ball at his feet. 

So as 2009/2010 came along the Dutch international had a fresh Arsenal contract to go with his reputation. Van Persie season got off to a flyer. As expected he was a constant goal scorer and assister for the Gunners and even managed to scoop the Barclay's Premier League player of the Month Award in October.

But just as van Persie was about to go into a league of his own the inevitable occurred. In an international friendly for the Netherlands against Italy in November the Arsenal vice captain suffered ligament damage in his ankle and faced five months on the sidelines.

Now the Dutch star is nearing his return and is expected to return to Arsenal's training in mid-week. It has been a lengthy lay-off for the 26-year-old but a lay off van Persie is no stranger too.

Will the footballing world be gifted with more of van Persie stunning passes, his elegant skill, his fierce left foot and his lethal free kicks or could this latest injury ensure the Dutchman struggles to cope?