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Football: Van Persie backs Gunners to keep firing

October 4th, 2007

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Arsenal’s strong start to the season has surprised many but Robin van Persie insists he saw it coming. And the Dutch forward sees no reason why Arsene Wenger’s young squad cannot build on their nine-match winning run to return to the top of the English game.

“At the start of the season I said we will surprise – and everyone was laughing,” the 24-year-old said. “Now 12 games into the season, everyone says, ‘Ooh, look at Arsenal, they are a good team’. This I knew before and my mind has not changed. “I started training early this season with Theo (Walcott) and after, when the rest of the lads came back in, I saw a great togetherness and belief and big quality. This is what I saw day in, day out. “I can understand the views of the fans and the press because they are not there every day – but I am and I saw this from early on.”

Van Persie, whose form and partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor has been crucial to Arsenal’s comfortable transition to life without Thierry Henry, added: “If we can stay together we can do amazing stuff in the future. We are progressing every week we play.

“If we just play our normal game, not many teams can stop us. We can win trophies. Why not? This is our aim. “If we win a trophy, we are a good team. If we miss it, we are not a bad team. We will just have missed it.”

Van Persie’s winner at Steau Bucharest in midweek put Arsenal in pole position in their Champions League group and Wenger’s men sit top of the Premier League. But their Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva, one of the few survivors from the squad that won the 2004 league title without losing a match, has warned that the new generation of Gunners cannot afford to allow the plaudits they are currently receiving to go to their heads.

“The more you win, the harder it is for you to play against other teams because everyone wants to beat you, but if they keep their minds right and everyone works hard for each other, there is a great chance,” he said.

Gilberto, who will celebrate his 31st birthday when Arsenal entertain Sunderland on Sunday, added: “It is important we keep our feet on the ground – if you do not keep your feet on the ground and your mind strong, it is very hard. “But I am not surprised how well this group is doing because I am with them every day on the training ground. The quality in which they do their job – the pass and movement, the goals – is fantastic. “If one of the players is not in condition to play, another replaces him and will do a great job.”

Entry Filed under: English Football,Sports News & Results