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Zat Knight scored in injury-time as Villa hit back from 2-0 down to earn a draw to put them fourth in the table.
Steve Sidwell, Curtis Davies and James Milner all struck the woodwork before Denilson slotted in Arsenal's opener.
Gabriel Agbonlahor's header was cleared off the line before Abou Diaby scored a superb breakaway goal for the second.
Robin van Persie hit the post before Gareth Barry pulled a goal back for Villa from the penalty spot and Knight rescued a point with a 12-yard drive.
It was an astonishing end to a remarkable match that swung wildly one way and then the other.
And while the hosts will be delighted to have secured a draw with a late, late equaliser they might also wonder how they did not virtually secure victory in the first half.
Villa's first chance came from a corner, when Sidwell thumped a header against the near post and shortly after an unmarked Davies headed off target when he should have done better.
The one-way traffic continued when Luke Young shot from the edge of the box and the ball deflected off Mikael Silvestre before being tipped over by Manuel Almunia.
Next Gabriel Agbonlahor's shot was well saved by Almunia and the follow-up effort from Sidwell was superbly blocked by William Gallas.
It seemed a matter of time before Villa's onslaught would bring the breakthrough but when Milner slid in to poke goalwards at the near post, the ball came back off the post and into Almunia's arms.
And Davies became the third Villa player to be denied by the frame of the goal when his hooked shot crashed against the bar.
Then as Arsenal made a rare foray into Villa territory, Nigel Reo-Coker hesitated in possession, which allowed Denilson to nip in, steal the ball and slide his shot home for the opener.
It was a stunning blow to Villa, and more frustration was to follow when Agbonlahor's header looked destined to bring the equaliser but Bacary Sagna produced a breathtaking overhead kick to clear the ball off his goalline.
And, after the break, Arsenal delivered a hammer blow when Diaby broke from inside his own half, laid the ball off to Emmanuel Eboue, continued his run and smashed the ball in after collecting the return pass.
For the first time in the match, Arsenal looked fluent and they could have wrapped up the points when the ball fell to Van Persie in the box but the Dutchman cracked his shot against the post.
Eboue also had a chance to score Arsenal's third but Davies made a terrific block to deny him.
Then at the other end, Sagna somehow nicked the ball off Ashley Young's toes as he looked set to convert Sidwell's cross.
Just when it seemed Villa would get nothing at all from the game, they won a penalty when Gallas upended Agbonlahor and Barry smashed in the resultant spot-kick.
Milner was then denied by Silvestre, who got in another vital block, as Villa pressed for a leveller.
And with time running out, the hosts earned their draw when Stiliyan Petrov's cross fell to defender Knight and he rifled the ball in.
Aston Villa: Friedel, Reo-Coker, Davies, Knight, Luke Young, Milner, Sidwell, Petrov, Barry, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor.
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Harewood, Delfouneso, Salifou, Shorey, Gardner, Osbourne.
Booked: Agbonlahor, Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry.
Goals: Barry 65 pen, Knight 90.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, Song Billong (Ramsey 43), Denilson, Nasri (Clichy 82), Diaby, Gallas, Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Wilshere, Bendtner.
Booked: Song Billong, Toure, Diaby, Van Persie.
Goals: Denilson 40, Diaby 49.
Att: 42,585
Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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The site has been updated today because we went to London this weekend. We were personally invited by Robin and Bouchra van Persie to visit the match against Liverpool. It was an amazing day and it was fantastic to visit a match in the Emirates Stadium and to meet Robin and his family. We would again like to thank them for the beautiful day that we had.
We would like to wish all the visitors of robinvanpersie.eu a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
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Striker Robin van Persie has said that Emmanuel Adebayor's sending-off against Liverpool was harsh.
The Togolese international was dismissed from the field of play after two bookable offences by referee Howard Webb.
van Persie said: "I didn't see it myself but I spoke to Ade (Adebayor) after and he told me he didn't touch him.
"I have to believe him so, if I go on that, then it is a bit harsh."
www.arsenal-mania.com
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Striker Robin van Persie has praised the efforts of Alex Song and Denilson, whom he said put in good performances today, along with his other team mates.
The Dutch international himself gave Arsenal the lead in the first half but a defensive lapse allowed Liverpool to equalise in the first half.
van Persie said: "We said to ourselves we have to keep in the game and we had to fight until the end.
"If you look at Alex (Song) and Denilson and how many metres they have covered today in the middle it was a big compliment.
"We all wanted to win the game but we are not that unhappy.
"It's not what we wanted but it's not really that bad after all that has happened.
"It was nice to score because I haven't scored for a bit. It was a nice goal to score. I took it down well and scored with my right foot."
www.arsenal-mania.com
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Robbie Keane struck a stunning equaliser as Liverpool remained top of the Premier League and maintained an eight-point advantage over Arsenal.
Robin van Persie put Arsenal ahead after collecting a long pass from Samir Nasri that he brilliantly controlled before smashing home.
Keane's equaliser was equally spectacular, drilling home a long punt upfield on the half-volley.
Emmanuel Adebayor saw red in the second half after picking up a second yellow.
Liverpool had been on top at the time of Adebayor's 62nd-minute dismissal but the home team competed manfully after losing their Togo striker and were good value for their point.
The visitors could now lose top spot in the league if Chelsea defeat Everton on Monday, while Arsenal remain fifth in the table.
Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas said in the week before the game that defeat for his team would have effectively spelled the end of their title challenge.
Having drawn the fixture the Gunners remain in the hunt but an injury to Fabregas on the stroke of half-time does little to improve their prospects.
Rafael Benitez, whose team have already beaten Chelsea and Manchester United this season, missed the game as he recovers from surgery to remove kidney stones but the Liverpool boss did pick the team.
Keane, an unused substitute against Hull last weekend, returned as one of four changes from the team that drew with the Tigers.
Steven Gerrard played just behind the Irishman and the two combined after 10 minutes for the opening opportunity of the game. Keane looked to be yards offside as he collected a long ball but Gael Clichy had played him on and the striker laid the ball off to Gerrard, whose shot from 20 yards was saved by Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal took time to settle, struggling to play their fluent passing game. However, Adebayor forced a save from Pepe Reina with a header after he met Bacary Sagna's cross from the right.
And Van Persie put Arsenal ahead with a goal of individual brilliance.
Nasri, returning after injury, picked out the Dutch forward with a raking pass but Van Persie was closely marked by Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger as he brought the ball down on his chest.
Van Persie created a yard of space with his second touch and smashed the ball into the corner of the net with his third.
Clear-cut chances remained at a premium but it was another moment of brilliance that saw Keane equalise with his third Premier League goal of the season.
Arsenal had been troubled previously by long balls upfield and failed to deal with an optimistic punt over the top from Agger that Keane smashed home spectacularly on the half-volley.
Liverpool might have led at the break but Gerrard could not quite find the target after sliding in to meet a low cross from Kuyt, who then went close himself with a low shot across goal that Almunia did well to save.
And the half ended on a sour note for Arsenal when skipper Fabregas sustained a knee injury challenging Xabi Alonso for the ball and was replaced by Vassiriki Diaby.
Leiva Lucas tested stand-in captain Almunia with a strike shortly after the resumption and the home team's travails worsened when Adebayor was dismissed.
The striker had his foot raised as he competed with Alvaro Arbeloa and caught the defender with his elbow as he spun, prompting referee Howard Webb to issue a second yellow card.
But Arsenal, who had struggled since the resumption, rallied after losing Adebayor and enjoyed a spell of pressure in and around the Liverpool box.
However, it was Liverpool who came close to a late winner, with a long-range strike from Agger narrowly missing the target and Nabil El Zhar heading wide.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas (Diaby 46), Song Billong, Nasri (Eboue 90), Adebayor, Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere.
Sent Off: Adebayor (62).
Booked: Adebayor, Van Persie, Sagna.
Goals: Van Persie 24.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Leiva Lucas (Ngog 88), Alonso, Riera (Babel 71), Gerrard, Keane (El Zhar 81).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Benayoun, Plessis.
Booked: Keane, Carragher, Leiva Lucas.
Goals: Keane 42.
Att: 60,094
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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It's the time of year for miracles. And Robin van Persie believes Arsenal are about to perform one to blow the title race wide open.
The dazzling Dutchman, whose two goals gunned down Chelsea earlier this month, has now turned his sights on league leaders Liverpool.
A victory will lift the Gunners within five points of the Prem summit and the Emirates striker says that will put Arsene Wenger’s men right back in the hunt.
Van Persie, 25, admits that is amazing after Arsenal’s FIVE defeats already this term. But he insists the Gunners side are now in the mood to make their critics choke on their words.
He said: “Yes, it’s a miracle we are still in it — but we still believe we can win it.
“It’s true five defeats before Christmas is not good, it is too much and normally you would say ‘that’s it, it is all over.’
“If you look at Chelsea and Man United in recent years they have been so consistent. They were winning every time. But they’re not now.
“The top four teams are all dropping points and that means we still have a chance. Yes, we have lost to Fulham, Stoke and Hull — which is wrong because we are the better team.
But we have also beaten Man United and Chelsea. Now if we beat Liverpool it is wide open again.
“If we beat them we are only five points behind them and it’s still not even half way, so we are definitely still in it.”
The United and Chelsea clashes were similar do-or-die matches and the Gunners prevailed. Now Van Persie sees that as a underlining their dogged ability not to be left out in the cold.
He said: “Against Chelsea, we would have been 13 points behind had we lost and we were finished. But we didn’t lose and we weren’t finished.”
Van Persie still refuses to write off Arsenal’s chances even if they lose today. He added: “You can never say ‘that’s it’ at this stage of the season. It’s true another defeat would be a big step backwards.
“But I believe in seeing the positives, not the negatives so I prefer to concentrate on the idea that if we win it is a big step forward. That is our aim, that’s how we look at it.
“We all realise the importance of this match to us and our season, just like we did before the United game and before the Chelsea game.
“No one is talking about it but you just sense the mood when you come to training and while you are training.
“Most of the guys here like this situation. Obviously, you prefer to be in first place and setting the pace.
“But this is good, too. We are living on the edge and every match is vital to us and I honestly think we can all cope with that.
“As for me, I shot down Chelsea and now I’m aiming to do the same to Liverpool, I hope I can.” Van Persie is taking nothing for granted, though. He is full of admiration for Liverpool and believes they now have the quality and consistency to finally recapture the league title. He added: “I hope they don’t. I hope we are the champions — but I believe they have a big chance to win it this time, a massive chance. They have done so well.
“They are far more consistent this season, winning games they wouldn’t have won in the last few seasons. They have changed from the rotation system and now concentrate on just 12 or 13 players and that’s obviously helped.
”It wasn’t really working for them in the last few seasons although everyone could see the potential there was enormous . . . now look at them. “
Liverpool last won the league in 1990 when Van Persie was just six.
And he knows from Dutch international team-mates Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt just how desperate the Anfield side are to end that miserable run.
He added: “Yes, I know the history. It will be 19 years I think. I was just a little boy and I don’t remember it at all. But that shows you just how hard it is to win the Premier League.
“And that’s why I’m so desperate to win the title. It would be such a great feeling to lift that big trophy at the end of the season, it shows that you have resisted every challenge and come through every test.
“The matches against the best teams, the tough teams and the ugly teams and you are the best in the world, the king of the hill.”
www.newsoftheworld.co.uk
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Arsenal's Premier League title hopes suffered another blow as they were held to a draw at Middlesbrough.
Emmanuel Adebayor headed the visitors in front after 17 minutes from Cesc Fabregas's corner.
But Boro hit back and former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere headed a fine equaliser from Tuncay Sanli's fierce cross 12 minutes later.
Robin van Persie wasted a good chance after the break, while keeper Manuel Almunia parried Stewart Downing's shot.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will view this as two points wasted as they try to keep in touch with the title pace-setters - seeing his side dominate possession but fail to take advantage.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate saw his revamped defence hold firm in the closing stages to earn a valuable point.
Wenger's side opened with real intent, with Van Persie shooting just wide after a glorious passing move and Abou Diaby forcing Boro keeper Ross Turnbull into a block at his near post.
And the Gunners took a deserved lead after 17 minutes, although Southgate will be furious at his defence for allowing Adebayor so much time and space to head home Fabregas's corner.
Diaby then tested Turnbull again after another corner caused more problems, before Middlesbrough hit back with a surprise equaliser after 29 minutes.
Tuncay was the creator with an instant driven cross, with Aliadiere reacting first to get in ahead of William Gallas and flash a fine header beyond Almunia.
The visitors were given a reprieve by referee Peter Walton five minutes later when he waved away justified penalty appeals as Adam Johnson tumbled under a challenge from Gael Clichy.
The visitors re-asserted their supremacy after the interval, but Middlesbrough were always a threat on the break.
And it took a fine save from Almunia to turn Downing's shot to safety after Arsenal had been caught out by a raking pass from Julio Arca.
But most of the action was at the opposite end, with Van Persie shooting across the face of the goal from Diaby's pass and then blasting over.
Diaby shot straight at Turnbull as Arsenal enjoyed plenty of possession without creating many clear-cut opportunities.
The Gunners introduced Nicklas Bendtner in the closing stages, and he almost made an impact as he forced Turnbull into another block at his near post, then headed off target when well placed.
They were Arsenal's final chances of a frustrating afternoon as Boro held out for a draw.
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz, Johnson (Emnes 90), Digard (Shawky 90), Arca, Downing, Sanli, Aliadiere. Subs Not Used: Jones, Alves, Bates, Hines, Grounds.
Goals: Aliadiere 29.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Diaby (Bendtner 82), Van Persie, Adebayor. Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere, Eboue.
Booked: Diaby.
Goals: Adebayor 17.
Att: 27,320
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Arsenal left winger Robin van Persie is convinced that his recent focus on shooting with his 'chocolate leg' is paying off and as a result he has vowed to score more goals to aid his club's title bid.
Van Persie, who scored Arsenal's crucial equaliser against Chelsea last week, has said that improving his right foot was the only way he could overcome the doubts he had about his skill.
"Positive thinking is the key for me. I know I can shoot with my right leg. Of course my left one’s better but it’s down to your belief in the power of your wrong foot.
"In Holland we call it your chocolate leg.
"When I have a chance I think positively. I think this is a good chance with my right foot - I can score this one.
“And I think you will miss many more chances with your chocolate leg if you think negatively, thinking that it’s not your strong foot.
“This is not how I approach it. If it comes on my right foot and I think it’s a big chance, I will shoot and try to score, as simple as that.”
Arsene Wenger will be hoping the Dutchman brings his new found confidence with him for their clash against FC Porto in the final group match of the Champions League.
Both sides are confirmed qualifiers for the knock-out stage but the clash in Portugal will decide who finishes where in the Group G table.
www.telegraph.co.uk
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William Gallas and Abou Diaby are back in the Arsenal squad for Wednesday's Champions League game against Porto.
Both Frenchmen sat out the weekend win over Wigan but Gallas (calf) and Diaby (abdominal strain) could return as Arsène Wenger's side look to cement top spot in Group G.
The Arsenal manager announced the good news just before flying out to Portugal but, in a long injury bulletin, he also revealed a handful of concerns ahead of the Premier League trip to Middlesbrough.
Samir Nasri (ankle) is definitely out of Saturday's game, Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Cesc Fabregas (knee) are doubts while Bacary Sagna is suffering from 'flu. Kolo Toure (calf), Robin van Persie (thigh) and Emmanuel Adebayor (rested) are also omitted from Wednesday's squad but all should return on Teeside.
"Bacary Sagna has 'flu and Gael Clichy has a hamstring, he has a little chance of playing on Saturday," said Wenger. "Kolo Toure has a recurrence of his calf injury, he should not be long but it was not enough to play [at Porto].
"Cesc is a doubt for Saturday, he got a kick on his knee on Saturday. Samir Nasri is definitely out for Saturday, he will be out for two or three weeks. Robin van Persie has been left behind. He will be OK for Saturday, he has a little stiffness in his thigh. Emmanuel Adebayor is rested."
All of which means there is room in Wenger's 18-man squad for some of the Club's Carling Cup regulars - Kieran Gibbs, Gavin Hoyte, Mark Randall, Fran Merida, Jack Wilshere and Jay Simpson.
www.arsenal.com
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Robin played his 100th Premier League match today. It's a beautiful milestone in his career and we want to congratulate him with that.
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Emmanuel Adebayor's first-half strike handed a below-par Arsenal victory, ending Wigan's five-game unbeaten run.
Wigan came close to opening the scoring when Wilson Palacios' deflected shot was smartly saved by Manuel Almunia.
Instead, Adebayor broke the deadlock when he slotted home a low effort after collecting a pass from Cesc Fabregas.
Adebayor almost doubled the lead but Chris Kirkland tipped his shot onto the post and Denilson also saw his drive cannon back off the woodwork.
The two sides met in the Carling Cup last month, when Arsenal's youngsters ran out 3-0 winners against a near full-strength Wigan team.
But Arsenal's seniors struggled to find anything like the fluency of their apprentices, while the visitors might feel that they were a little unlucky to come away with nothing.
Wigan enjoyed early success with a robust and disciplined approach - although Palacios took things too far when he challenged Samir Nasri from behind and ended the Frenchman's match as a result.
Before that, Palacios might have put his side ahead when he struck a shot from the edge of the box but Almunia saved well.
Arsenal looked sluggish and were lacking fight but they went ahead when Fabregas' pass found its way through to Adebayor and he scored with a low shot to Kirkland's right.
Adebayor was inches away from doubling Arsenal's lead when his shot was helped onto the post by Kirkland.
It would have been harsh had Wigan gone into the break two goals down as they largely matched their hosts, particularly through the impressive Lee Cattermole.
But it was a different story after the interval, when Arsenal stepped up the pace and should have made the game safe.
Robin van Persie shot narrowly wide from the edge of the area and also went close with a free-kick, while Denilson cracked a 25-year shot against the foot of the post.
Full-back Bacary Sagna had two chances to get on the scoresheet but saw his near-post header saved and then shot over the bar after Wigan failed to clear a corner.
And Adebayor almost put the finishing touch to a flowing move but Kirkland did well to beat away his shot.
Wigan, though, had chances to make Arsenal pay for their profligacy.
Mario Melchiot was denied by a point-blank save from Almunia, substitute Amr Zaki fired wide and Emile Heskey directed a free header over the bar as Wigan came forward with purpose.
Arsenal's nerves were obvious and they were hardly being helped by substitute Emmanuel Eboue.
So out of sorts was the midfielder that Arsene Wenger took him off before the end.
Yet the Gunners hung on to claim three points, while Wigan will know they should have taken advantage of their disjointed opponents.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas, Song Billong, Nasri (Eboue 32), Van Persie, Adebayor, Eboue (Silvestre 90).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Wilshere, Bendtner.
Booked: Van Persie.
Goals: Adebayor 16.
Wigan: Kirkland, Taylor, Boyce (Kilbane 63), Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Palacios, Cattermole (Koumas 77), Melchiot, Heskey, Camara (Zaki 66).
Subs Not Used: Kingson, Brown, De Ridder, Kapo.
Booked: Palacios, Figueroa.
Att: 59,317
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).
www.bbc.co.uk
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The Dutchman's month couldn't have started much worse - with a red card at Stoke - but it couldn't have ended much better after that match-winning brace at Stamford Bridge.
Van Persie's late sending off at the Britannia Stadium earned him a three-match suspension from domestic football but he did feature in both of November's Champions League games, going as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock against Fenerbahce and starting the win over Dynamo Kyiv. But it was the contribution at Chelsea which earned Robin most of his votes as two superb finishes secured a famous win and kept Arsenal's title hopes alive.
Robin polled just over 30 per cent of the votes in our November poll. New captain Cesc Fabregas not far behind with 26 per cent while Samir Nasri, our matchwinner against Manchester United, was third.
www.arsenal.com
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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has conceded he was 'a little bit offside' for his equaliser at Chelsea on Sunday.
The Dutchman strayed into an offside position before scoring the first of two goals in a vital turnaround against the Blues.
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has hit out at the misjudgement by the linesman and called for referee Mike Dean to apologise.
Van Persie, though, has pointed to a clash between the two London clubs when he had a seemingly onside goal ruled out.
Disallowed
He said in the Evening Standard: "I scored a goal against Chelsea (in a 2-0 home defeat in December 2005). I was onside, but the ref gave it offside and it didn't count.
"This time was maybe a little bit offside, but it counted and that's all that matters."
Meanwhile, Van Persie's strike partner, Emmanuel Adebayor, has hailed the importance of the scalp that hauled them to within seven points of the leaders.
The Togo forward said: "It is a very big win because we went through a lot of difficult moments and people wrote us off in the Premier League. Now this is a message that we have sent out.
"We believe in ourselves, we can do something. Forget about what happened - we are always together. We always believed we can do something and these are the kind of results we can show again.
"Now everyone can see we have kept our title dreams alive and the more important thing now is to keep going."
www.skysports.com
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Robin van Persie said it was a 'big win' after his brace secured a vital victory for Arsenal over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners went behind on 31 minutes through Johan Djourou's own goal before Van Persie netted twice in three minutes to turn the game on its head.
He equalised on 59 minutes with a fine effort into the top right-hand corner from the edge of the box, although replays showed he was offside.
The Dutchman then added a second three minutes later with a great left-footed effort on the turn into the bottom right-hand corner past the despairing dive of Petr Cech.
Van Persie told Sky Sports 1: "It was a big win. In the last 20 minutes we showed a lot of character, a lot of discipline so big compliments to the whole team because it was a tough game."
Asked why it was such a big win, he added: "Because playing against Chelsea on their ground and when you go 1-0 down, you know it's going to be really difficult and if you come back and win the game in the end I think that shows it all."
He added: "It is not my day, it's our day. I was the one who scored the two goals but that doesn't really matter. It was our day - the whole squad really gave extra of everything."
William Gallas was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after he publicly criticised his team-mates, including criticising one unnamed 25-year-old player for not showing him enough respect.
It has been reported that player is Van Persie but the Dutchman denied he had a problem with the former Arsenal captain and hugged the France defender before the match.
Van Persie said: "There wasn't a problem at all (between him and Gallas). He's just a respected colleague of mine and a good player so there is no problem at all."
The flying Dutchman concluded that the victory would boost confidence in the Gunners' dressing room.
"If you win the game like that it gives you a lot of confidence and this is what we need at the moment," he said.
www.skysports.com
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