Van Persie: Ade and I can fire Gunners
A striker with barely a dozen league starts last season and another who flirted with a move all summer may not seem the safest bet to spearhead a title challenge.
But Robin van Persie believes he and forward partner Emmanuel Adebayor are primed to end Arsenal’s three-year trophy drought. Van Persie made just 13 Premier League starts in yet another injury affected campaign last season, but is back to fitness after starring for Holland at Euro 2008.
Adebayor, meanwhile, tested Arsenal fans’ patience this summer by refusing to pledge his allegiance to the club amid interest from Barcelona and AC Milan.
But the Togo frontman, who has since agreed a new contract at the Emirates, gave his popularity a boost with the winner in Sunday’s friendly against Real Madrid. He and Van Persie linked up successfully, and, with forward Eduardo still side lined, the Dutchman believes they are ready to form a lethal double act.
“We showed that Ade and I have a few nice combinations together,” said Van Persie. “That is really important for two strikers, you always have to work together, you always have to look for each other. Hopefully this is a good start.” Van Persie started last season with six goals in 10 games but that run was curtailed by a knee injury. His campaign never got back on track, but the former Feyenoord player is convinced he learned from his year on the side lines.
“I learned a lot in the last two years because I have been injured so much,” he added. “I learned what my body can take and what it can’t, so it was an interesting period for me.”
Meanwhile, 16-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere has been named in the first team squad for this season.