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Van Persie tells title-chasing Arsenal
to think tough
James Olley
Daily
Mail
Monday 20 October 2008
You’ll win no prizes for guessing
Robin van Persie’s aim for the coming season —
fewer injuries.
The 24-year-old admits he has missed
far too many games over the past two terms but sees
the coming campaign as “a new season with new chances”.
He is buoyed by his own scoring
record during that time, 22 goals in 45 starts, and
simply hopes for more opportunities to continue in the
same vein.
“Last year I missed too many
games and I am still disappointed about it,” said
the Dutchman.
“But that is life. That is
football and things can happen. I accepted it.
“This is a new year with new
chances. Hopefully I can be injury-free this year. Last
year I played 16 games and scored seven goals —
that is nearly one out of two. It is not too bad.
“I just want to have the same
results this season with a few more matches.”
"I do not think it is a real
big problem for us, but every single time we have to
prove it again. Last season we played fantastic for
three-quarters of the season and then suddenly everything
fell down. I do not know if the reason is mentally,
maybe it was a bit of everything, but we learned a lot
from last year as well. The season is long, we lost
some points, but we won some as well so we just have
to stay positive.'
Arsenal have already lost two League
matches this season — against Fulham and Hull —
and with games against Chelsea and Manchester United
to come next month, van Persie admitted: "The whole
squad realise [the need to stay positive] because we
still have to play against the big teams and lots of
big tests for us are on the way."
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