Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has urged his teammates to stick together as he faces five months on the sidelines. Van Persie has urged his Arsenal team-mates to keep "believing in themselves" as he prepares to spend the next five months recovering from surgery on his injured ankle.

"I hope the boys keep believing in themselves. I am absolutely convinced they will keep improving and keep the good form of the last few months going," Van Persie told Dutch newspaper AD Sportwereld.

"If I had known at the time what I know now, I would have been operated [on] immediately. We have all been steered in the wrong direction."

Van Persie continued: "It is so frustrating to be out for months. I was having a super season with the team.

"I had never felt as strong and powerful as this year. Apart from, I think, two matches, I either scored or made goals in all the games we played this season.

"I was getting so strong, that I felt nobody could stop me any more. That is the greatest feeling you can have as a player.

"It is such a pity that great run has been stopped for the time being by one kick in a friendly international match.

"It is a real shame for me, for the team and for the fans of Arsenal."