Arsenal Football Club News

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

• Ground:Emirates
• Capacity:60,432

Wenger enjoys Robin's return

30 Jul 2007 - 08:23:16

Click To Enlarge

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has backed the fit-again Robin van Persie to help make up for the summer exit of star striker Thierry Henry to Barcelona.

The 23-year-old Netherlands forward was in scintillating form last term until a broken toe ended his season in January, with van Persie having already bagged 13 goals before his setback.

He returned in the pre-season Emirates Cup this weekend and fired in a superb goal in the 2-1 victory over Internazionale.

Afterwards, Wenger said: "We missed him and Thierry together last season. On the scoresheet it was a bit too much.

"Robin played 17 games last year and Thierry 16, 33 (league) games together. Robin scored 11 goals in 17, Thierry ten in 16. You could multiply that by two.

"The media always pick one or two players out. Who will it be?

"The players who are picked out mustn't forget the team-play, the teamwork and that we must play as a team.

"That's not easy to resist when you're picked out as a star, but Robin can handle the pressure on him."