Van Persie looks to atone for Arsenal
Arsenal’s young Dutch forward Robin van Persie may get another chance to stake his claim for a regular first-team place at Bolton tomorrow – and an opportunity to prove he has learned from his mistakes.
Van Persie incurred manager Arsene Wenger’s wrath when he was sent off against Southampton a fortnight ago and has also been involved in several niggly incidents this season.
With Thierry Henry set to miss the FA Cup quarter-final trip to Bolton due to a calf strain, the 21-year-old may get a chance to emphasise the positive rather than negative aspects of his game.
Van Persie said: “In life you never know what is going to happen. Against Southampton I thought: ‘brilliant, I am starting, this is going to be a fantastic match’ and then one hour later I got a red card.
“I was very disappointed. At half-time the boss said to everyone to be careful, he spoke to me because I already had a yellow card.
“We kicked off again and five minutes later I had another yellow card and then a red. I was stupid.
“I got my second yellow because I did a little trick in the middle of the park, lost the ball and tried to get it back. If I could rewind time I would. It was a mistake and I told the team that after.”
Van Persie was a regular for Feyenoord before he moved in the summer but has had to be content with having his first-team outings limited at Arsenal.
He added: “It has been different. The game here is much more physical so the matches I have played have been about getting used to the style of play and adapting to English football. I have a small voice in my head though saying ‘be patient, your time will come’.”
The suspension for his red card meant Quincy Owusu-Abeyie started up front in the FA Cup replay against Sheffield United.
The pair will contest a starting place at Bolton but whoever gets the shout van Persie predicts great things ahead for his fellow Dutchman.
He said: “Quincy is a fantastic guy. He has done well since the start of the season. He’s so very fast and has great technique, he’s a joy to watch.
“Some footballers have the pace but no technique, for some it is the other way around. Quincy has both and if he is smart he can be a big player.”
Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Gilberto may be in line for his first appearance for the Gunners since September after being on the bench in midweek against Bayern Munich.
