Arsenal Football Club News

• Nickname:Gunners
• Founded:1886
• Manager:Arsene Wenger

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Van the man for Wenger

27 Dec 2006 - 09:22:22

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Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has earned high praise from boss Arsene Wenger after becoming a key figure for the Gunners in recent times.

The 23-year-old Netherlands international has netted ten goals this season, with his latest strike securing a crucial 2-1 win at lowly Watford on Boxing Day.

Van Persie took time to find his feet in England after his arrival from Feyenoord in the summer of 2004, but Wenger now believes his player is showing touches reminiscent of former Gunners legend Dennis Bergkamp.

"He has developed into a team player now," Wenger commented. "He works very hard and in this game created more chances in the first half. In the second he had only one and scored.

"He did it in a great style and there is some Bergkamp in there in the way he finishes - he is open-footed, strikes it cleanly and makes quick decisions.

"I believe he has developed a lot. His link play is better as he knows now how to get where the defence don't like him to be.

"He has a good mixture between going forward and dropping off and Dennis had that.

"You have to know where to be on a football pitch, but he senses that And he is much more mature as well."