Wenger looks to van Persie
Arsene Wenger is ready to unleash Robin van Persie on Sunderland again tomorrow at Highbury.
The 22-year-old Dutchman hit a brace in Arsenal’s 3-0 Carling Cup victory at the Stadium of Light last month, and continued his current impressive form with a double strike when coming off the bench during the second half against Sparta Prague on Wednesday night which helped put the Gunners into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Arsenal now seem to be getting the best out of the former Feyenoord starlet, who has endured a difficult time since arriving at the club last August.
Van Persie took several months to adjust to the pace of the English game.
Then, he spent two weeks in police custody in Rotterdam after being arrested on June 13, when a woman claimed he launched a sex attack on her. Although the footballer was not charged, Van Persie remains subject to the ongoing investigation.
With the support of Wenger and his international manager Marco van Basten, the young striker remains determined to prove any doubters wrong.
His positive attitude has certainly impressed the Arsenal boss.
“I felt he was affected by the situation he faced at the start of the season,” said Wenger.
“Now he looks like he has crossed the border and is coming back to really where you expect him to be – he looks dominant, strong physically.
“I bought him not to put him on the bench, but to develop him and bring him into the side.
“He is making huge progress at the moment.”
Wenger added: “He is a kind of guy who can play centre-forward and knows enough football to play a little deeper.
“At the moment, I see him more in front as the first striker.”
Wenger added: “Sunderland will work very hard, play a direct game to put us under pressure and not to let us get in our stride, then maybe take advantage physically at the end of the game if they can.”
Wenger may not yet have decided whether to put Van Persie in his starting XI tomorrow, which could come at the expense of veteran Dennis Bergkamp, butskipper Thierry Henry is set to lead the attack against the struggling Wearsiders.
Henry has recovered from a minor setback following a return from a groin injury which saw him miss the north London derby with Tottenham last weekend - and marked his reappearance with a brilliant opening goal against the Czechs.
Wenger, though, conceded: “You can never guarantee 100% there will be no setback.
“We have been as cautious as we could be.”
The Arsenal captain is set to play for France during the international break, and Wenger reflected: “You cannot imagine France going to Martinique without Thierry Henry, that would be an insult over there.
“I don’t think I could do that.
“But if he could only play one and a half games, against Martinique and Trinidad & Tobago, that would be just right for him.”
Wenger added: “It is a sensitive year for the players, because some of them fight for their place in the national team, and it could be costly for them in the World Cup.
“With Sol Campbell, if he has a slight problem, I will pull him out – but if he is fit, I want him as well to go.
“There is a fight there with players who want to be in [the national team] and defend their chances to play.”
Arsenal currently trail Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea by 14 points, but with a game in hand.
The Blues travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, and Wenger commented: “It will have an impact on the title race.
“What kind you don’t know because there is a long way to go, no matter what the result of that game will be.”
The Arsenal boss added: “For the interest of the Premiership you expect [need] Manchester United to get the result, but even if they don’t, I still do not think it will be over.
“It will be a difficult game for Chelsea, but Manchester United as well have lost a little bit of self belief because they are going through a bad spell.
“For Manchester United it will be a good opportunity to bounce back, but it is not an ideal game when you look for confidence.”
On his side’s own title hopes, Wenger added: “I believe we still have a good chance – and no matter how big the chance is, we will fight like mad to get back on track and give them a good fight for it.”
