Wenger on the qualities of his Dutch hitman
Written by Jonathan Chong on Monday, November 2, 2009
Manager Arsène Wenger has given the highest praise possible to striker Robin van Persie, saying that the 26-year-old has a blend of qualities from Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.
van Persie is already highly-regarded in the Dutch national side, with legend Marco van Basten often saying that there are similarities between van Persie and himself.
But Arsenal fans have been waiting a long time to see the best of van Persie, who has suffered a number of niggling injuries in his career at Arsenal.
With 8 goals to his name already this season, the Dutchman is currently the club's leading goalscorer and Arsenal's spearhead in attack, a role that many fans thought would be more suited for Nicklas Bendtner, as they viewed van Persie as a 'second striker'.
Wenger disagrees, saying: "It was always clear to me Robin would be in the middle of the three [strikers]. He has a short back-lift, is an intelligent player and can turn very quickly. What he has around the box is very difficult to give to a striker. The timing of his runs are fantastic.
"Around the box he has what is very difficult to give a striker. He moves away from defenders in a very, very perfect way. He is much stronger than people expect. He uses his body well. He learned to play football in the street.
"He had an 'attitude', but what saves people, always, is a love for football and an intelligence. Robin is at an age where a football player becomes really efficient, mature, and wants to win things. That is why I believe he can be the best passer in the league and he can be the best goalscorer in the league.
"He is a player you don't consider at the beginning to be a 'target man' but, when you play him there, you realise he has everything a target man needs.
"If you look at the chances since the beginning of the season, you cannot say he won't reach [his target of 25 goals this season].
"There are things he must work on still: his heading, his use of his right foot. But he is much stronger than people expect. He uses his body very well and has learned to play football in the street.
"He has what you can only acquire at a very young age, that ability to push and turn quickly. And the responsibility is helping him. He is one of the leaders in the dressing room."
Meanwhile, van Persie has said that he is looking forward to playing in the Carling Cup tie against Manchester City... if Wenger selects him.
van Persie said: "I want to play in that one. We fancy winning it and I'd love to play. If the boss decides to let me play, I'm happy.
"City have a good side and it's a good challenge for the youngsters."
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