csconstantine.com: Robin van Persie pulls out of Dutch friendly squad (AP)

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

Robin van Persie pulls out of Dutch friendly squad (AP)

AMSTERDAM (AP)—Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has pulled out of the Netherlands squad for its friendly against Austria on Wednesday after going down with ‘flu.

The Netherlands Football Union said Monday coach Bert van Marwijk called up FC Twente forward Luuk de Jong to replace Van Persie.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie, center, heads in their fourth goal against Newcastle United during the English Premier League soccer match at St James' Park, Newcastle, England, Saturday Feb. 5, 2011. The match ended in a 4-4 draw. (AP Photo/PA, Owen Humphreys) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE - NO INTERNET/MOBILE USAGE WITHOUT FAPL LICENCE - SEE IPTC SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FIELD FOR DETAILS

Arsenal's Robin van Persie…
AP - Feb 5, 2:14 pm EST

The Arsenal striker’s absence is the latest setback for Van Marwijk. On Saturday, midfielders Rafael van der Vaart of Tottenham and Nigel de Jong of Manchester City pulled out with injuries.

No replacement was called up for Van der Vaart or De Jong, who was set to make his international return after being dropped for three matches for a tackle that left Newcastle player Hatem Ben Arfa with a broken leg.

World Cup runner-up the Netherlands plays Austria in Eindhoven.

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