Arsenal striker mocks cocky rivals Chelsea
Robin van Persie has participated in an astonishingly candid interview in which he has hit out at Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona and defended the way that Arsenal operate, while at the same time criticising their tendency to always fall short at the final hurdle.
The Dutch striker appears to believe that Arsenal's success so far this season in sitting second in the table, with their title destiny in their own hands as victory in their final nine games will ensure that they finish first, was the reason Chelsea and Manchester City felt forced to spend big in January.
He said: "I still strongly believe in my club's philosophy. A club like Manchester City change their philosophy every year and Chelsea spent about £70 million this season.
"(They are) two clubs who had a big mouth before the season, thinking that Arsenal wouldn't play a role in the title race, but we are still ahead of them, and just by playing our own game, through our own philosophy."
The Gunners are clear of both despite recent wobbles against Sunderland and West Brom and can be backed at [4.3], whereas Chelsea are [6.8] and the Citizens are considered to have no chance at [130.0]. Manchester United are firm favourites at [1.63] and van Persie can clearly understand why.
He added: "On a number of occasions we have been very close but, at the last moment, it's often not good enough. That's the reality. It's very frustrating when you lose, especially as a team when we're so close. But we have to look forward and now it's up to us to change all that."
The north Londoners' top goalscorer also took the opportunity to swipe at one of the sides that participated in the collapse of their quadruple bid, [2.34] Champions League favourites Barcelona. They beat the Gunners 4-3 on aggregate in their round-of-16 tie, yet van Persie wasn't that impressed.
He claimed: "Barca are a great team, but they shouldn't overdo the moaning as they become bloody annoying. They dispute every decision, with five players confronting the referee. I like their style of play, but find them unsporting as well."
Will Chelsea have caught Arsenal by May? They are [2.32] to finish higher...
Published: 25 Mar 2011
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