Van Persie back for Arsenal in March

Robin van Persie could be playing for Arsenal by mid-March.

The Mail on Sunday says Van Persie is likely to give Arsenal's title hopes a huge boost with a return to fitness in the middle of March, rather than the date of mid-April which had been previously forecast.

The Holland striker, who ruptured ankle ligaments against Italy in November, returned last week to training at Arsenal and is now walking freely again.

And though his club manager, Arsene Wenger, has cautiously set April as a projected return date, doctors in Holland connected to the national team expect him to be ready to play in seven weeks.