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Robin Van Persie: Brotherly Love Makes Arsenal Special
Dutchman sees himself as a big brother to the younger players at Arsenal...
26-Sep-2009 5:16:54 AM
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie believes that a strong sense of brotherhood and camaraderie is what makes the club special.
The Dutchman told the club's official website how older players like Kolo Toure helped him settle when he first arrived to the club.
"When I first came to Arsenal, I was 20," van Persie said.
"Kolo [Toure] came to me and said 'see me as your older brother. You come from another country, you speak a different language and are a bit nervous'."
He reveals that he, along with Gunners team-mate Gael Clichy, has taken on the 'older brother' role at the London club.
"I now say this, along with Gael Clichy, to the youngsters.
"There is the Dutch guy Nacer Barazite, Jack Wilshere and Armand Traore who still need to find their way, along with Thomas [Vermaelen].
"I just really like the club. I really love Arsenal and I want them to succeed.
Van Persie also claims that team spirit within the club is a lot higher than other sides in the Premier League.
"Other clubs have lots of egos. We have egos here but the whole squad has good egos and good characters. That is not the case at many other clubs," he said.
"We now have more experience too. There is me, Clichy, Fabregas and Song - we cannot hide behind saying we are inexperienced any more. It is now about how much we really want it."
Troy Nicholson, Goal.com UK
The Dutchman told the club's official website how older players like Kolo Toure helped him settle when he first arrived to the club.
"When I first came to Arsenal, I was 20," van Persie said.
"Kolo [Toure] came to me and said 'see me as your older brother. You come from another country, you speak a different language and are a bit nervous'."
He reveals that he, along with Gunners team-mate Gael Clichy, has taken on the 'older brother' role at the London club.
"I now say this, along with Gael Clichy, to the youngsters.
"There is the Dutch guy Nacer Barazite, Jack Wilshere and Armand Traore who still need to find their way, along with Thomas [Vermaelen].
"I just really like the club. I really love Arsenal and I want them to succeed.
Van Persie also claims that team spirit within the club is a lot higher than other sides in the Premier League.
"Other clubs have lots of egos. We have egos here but the whole squad has good egos and good characters. That is not the case at many other clubs," he said.
"We now have more experience too. There is me, Clichy, Fabregas and Song - we cannot hide behind saying we are inexperienced any more. It is now about how much we really want it."
Troy Nicholson, Goal.com UK
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