Robin van Persie believes the team have shown real character, not just against Chelsea, but over the last number of weeks.
Despite a loss against the mouth-breathing scummers, Arsenal have now won eight of their last nine games, and the captain believes the team’s form has gone somewhat unnoticed.
“We have been having a good run for almost two months now,” he said. “A bit quiet – not many people have noticed it – but we have won eight out of nine and to win this one at Chelsea sets a standard. To score five here is a big achievement, particularly as we had to come back from behind twice.
“We showed character and to score this many times at one of the hardest grounds in football to visit is a big thing. Everyone realises now we can do it against any team, so everyone is just pleased and happy.”
And such is the Dutchman’s form, with eleventy-billion goals in 2011 alone, he says he feels he can find the net every time he plays. “I feel I can score every time I go out on to the pitch. For me, personally, it’s just the best feeling to have. It doesn’t really matter against who we play: we always create chances so that means I always have a go. Then it’s up to me to score.
“I will miss chances but I will score them too. To have this feeling is one of the best things in life.”
And to watch him score them isn’t half-bad either. Arsene Wenger believes van Persie’s form is a combination of things but puts it down to his quality and experience.
“Calm, experience and, above all, top quality. Maybe he is at the right age as well because, at 28, you analyse quickly the weaknesses of the defence around you and take advantage. But he has exceptional class, and the intelligence of his movement means that he takes advantage of every situation. The captaincy, too, has contributed.
“People keep telling me he is not a ‘centre‑forward’. So how many goals does a centre-forward need to score? He’s a different kind of centre-forward but he is a centre-forward.”
Frankly, how anyone can say van Persie is not a centre-forward is beyond me. Sure, he’s not a horse-faced poacher like van Nistelrooy, nor a target man the likes of which Tony Pubis would play, but a forward’s job is to score goals, and van Persie does that. A lot. And a lot more than most traditional centre-forwards.
And long may it continue.
Is there a sexier man on this planet right now?
I think LeBob might have an issue with what you’re saying.
Funny that why do I feel he would be better suited playing off another striker yet as Arsene says look at his record and it speaks for itself?
I think it might just be something to do with being gooners, we experianced Bergkamp, and it definatley left an impression.
I think if we where to practice to have two systems, a counter attacking 4411 and the flexible highly 4231 that we’ve got RvP might have a second stricker role to play somewhere, but at the moment, as Arsene says, whats the point? He’s got the best scoring record in the league, the only players in europe at the moment with better records play in the sunny SPL.
Long may we continue to sneak under the radar winning games. Let the media continue messing themselves over Citeh, and think when we win it’s either lucky or because the oppo have or haven’t done something or other.
Bring on Marseille and another so called lucky win.
I think the goals are going to start flooding in from other positions as the opposition will focus too much on RVP.
What has impressed me most about Van Persie has actually not just been the goals (a strike record that is amazing) but it his attitude since he became captain. Having seen two quality players leave and three if the remaining best suffer injuries (bar VP himself) he has led by example and truly inspired the rest of the team. Fabregas could not have done what VP has done this season. You
Goonerbob, I could not agree with you more mate. He’s proving to be a truly inspirational leader and exactly the right man for the job at the right time.
Demonstrates class, quality and leadership both on and off the pitch.
A proper Gooner.
Ignore the ‘you’.
aargh…can’t…look…away…from…YOU…
Robin van Persie is absolutely the best man to lead our team. *swoon*
Pay him what it takes but get this man signed up now…. We pay far too much to squad players and not enough to top draw quality. Simple really…. Up the arse….
I think I may turn gay for this man.
Reliant Robin… Legend!
Soon we’ll be seeing Van Raping defences with his Ox- Coq… heh, heh…
You could play van persie at Centre Back and he would still be banging in the goals! Captain Vantastic. long may it continue.