Van Persie is expected to be sidelined until the middle of October

Arsenal have confirmed that Robin van Persie is expected to be sidelined until the middle of October as a result of his ankle injury.

Robin van Persie usually performs well against Blackburn

Van Persie suffered the problem in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers and was initially expected to be out of action for around a month, meaning he would have been hoping to return to action before the end of September.

That now looks an unrealistic prognosis with Arsenal confirming that his likely period of recuperation has been extended by around a further two weeks.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Robin van Persie will have to wait a little longer before he is back in the first-team frame. The Dutchman injured his ankle against Blackburn Rovers on August 28 and will be sidelined for longer than first anticipated. Van Persie is likely to be out of action until mid-October."

Van Persie will certainly miss the club's first two Champions League games against Braga and Partizan Belgrade and could be unavailable for up to five Premier League games, including the trip to Chelsea on October 3.

However, the club have also announced that midfielder Samir Nasri is ahead of schedule as he battles back from knee surgery.

Nasri required the operation after suffering a meniscal injury against Liverpool on the opening weekend of the Premier League season but will be back in training "in the next few days", according to the club.