Robin van Persie: 'Injuries, suspensions no excuse'

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has insisted that the Gunners have can have no excuses for yesterday's 8-2 defeat to Manchester United.

The London club were without the suspended trio of Gervinho, Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong, while Jack Wilshere, Thomas Vermaelen and Bacary Sagna all missed the Old Trafford match with injuries.

Despite being depleted, van Persie believes that Arsenal should have done better and has urged the squad to bounce back as soon as possible.

"This was the strongest team we had today. We gave our maximum but it was clearly not good enough," the 28-year-old told the club's official website.

"I don't think we can hide behind injuries or suspensions. It is no excuse. They had injuries too, this is football.

"We need to come back. We have Swansea in two weeks, which is a good opponent and I look forward to that."

Van Persie was appointed the skipper of Arsenal following the sale of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona earlier this month.