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Robin van Persie: Emmanuel Adebayor and
I will be lethal partnership
James Nursey
The
Mirror
Tuesday 05 August 2008
Arsenal star Robin van Persie believes
he and Emmanuel Adebayor will be the most lethal Premier
League strike pairing this season.
Dutch forward Van Persie endured a frustrating time
during the last campaign, as a knee injury limited him
to nine goals in 23 games.
But he has returned to fitness and is excited about
resuming his partnership with Adebayor, 24, after the
Togo striker promised to sign a new contract.
And Van Persie, also 24, hopes their on-field rapport
will ensure Arsene Wenger's side do not fail yet again
to win a trophy, after the duo clicked in Sunday's friendly
win against Real Madrid.
"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 and you always have to
look for each other so, hopefully, this is a good start.
Arsenal have to win something every year. If it is not
happening, then everyone is really disappointed.
"I think any of the top four can win the title
and I hope we can do it. I'm committed to winning it
and, if you look around, so is everyone here."
Adebayor took his time pledging his future to the Gunners,
following interest from both AC Milan and Barcelona
this summer.
But Van Persie is delighted his strike partner eventually
promised to stay - he scored 30 goals last season in
his second campaign at Arsenal after joining from Monaco
in January 2006.
"I did not know whether he would be staying,"
said Van Persie. "But it is a good sign that he
will be and I am happy he has committed his future to
Arsenal."
Van Persie is also relieved that his injury nightmares
appear to be over, after he suffered a broken metatarsal
two seasons ago.
He said: "I learned a lot in the last two years
because I have been injured so much.
"I learned what my body can
take and what it can't, so it was an interesting period
for me.
"But I just do not want to
think about that negative stuff and I hope next season
we will not be so unlucky with injuries. It is important
for me to get a good start.
"Hopefully we can all get some confidence out
of the first few games and can slowly build it up to
challenge at the top."
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