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Robin van Persie will play no part in Holland's World Cup qualifying match against Macedonia on Wednesday due to a groin injury.
The Arsenal striker has left the Netherlands training camp in news that will alarm his club manager Arsene Wenger.
Van Persie had looked to have been returning to form of late after missing much of the campaign with a succession of injuries.
He was on target for the Dutch in Saturday's comfortable 3-0 victory over Scotland, but has now been sidelined with a fresh problem.
Van Persie's place is likely to be taken by Wesley Sneijder, who was overlooked in his favoured attacking midfield role at the weekend as the Arsenal man was given the nod.
The Netherlands leads Group 9 with 12 points from four games.
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Netherlands opened up a commanding lead in World Cup qualifying Group 9 after a comfortable win over Scotland.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie were both on target with free headers in the first half.
Gary Caldwell had a headed effort harshly disallowed before Dirk Kuyt added a penalty when Christophe Berra was adjudged to have tripped Huntelaar.
Kenny Miller squandered a great early chance for Scotland, who now trail the Dutch by eight points after four games.
The Dutch are ranked the third best team in the world, but the star-studded home line-up barely needed to break sweat as the Scots contributed hugely to their own downfall.
There was no shortage of endeavour from the visitors, but all three goals came from lapses of concentration at the back.
Defender Berra, making his first international start, looked overwhelmed by the occasion, while the midfield trio of Barry Ferguson, Scott Brown and Darren Fletcher struggled to impose themselves.
The outcome could have been different had Miller converted the game's first good opening, when he raced on to a long ball over the top.
However, the Rangers forward took far too long to compose himself and was caught by a lunging tackle from Joris Mathijsen on the edge of the six-yard box before getting a shot away.
The pace and trickery of Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben caused problems for the visitors, but the rest of his Dutch team-mates made a rather laboured start to the match.
It was therefore disappointing when Scotland fell behind to a soft goal on 30 minutes.
Huntelaar was unopposed as he stooped to steer home a simple lofted cross from Mark van Bommel, who was under no pressure some 30 yards out.
From that point on the Dutch grew in confidence and George Burley's men saw little of the ball for the remainder of the match.
The Scots were punished for more slack defending in the final seconds of the first period as Van Persie raced on to powerfully head in a corner from Robben.
Kuyt screwed a low shot narrowly wide of the flailing McGregor's post after the interval.
McGregor, making his first competitive start for Scotland, then did well to get behind a clever, curling strike from the impressive Robben.
The Real Madrid star should have claimed a goal on 68 minutes but made a mess of his angled shot from close range after a flick on from Huntelaar, allowing Caldwell to scoop the ball awkwardly over his own crossbar.
Celtic defender Caldwell looked to have thrown Scotland an unlikely lifeline when he powered home a header from a Ross McCormack free-kick, but referee Laurent Duhamel ruled that Gary Teale had been impeding keeper Maarten Stekelenburg when there was little contact.
Soon after, the French official, who is currently suspended by his home federation, further enraged the visiting fans when he awarded a penalty for Berra's trip on Huntelaar.
Liverpool forward Kuyt coolly rolled the ball in from the spot, with McGregor diving the wrong way.
The Scots, who have slipped to third in the qualifying section on goal difference, must now regroup and aim for maximum points against second-placed Iceland at Hampden on Wednesday.
Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Mathijsen, Ooijer, Van Bronckhorst, Kuyt, Van Bommel, De Jong (Schaars 80), Robben, Huntelaar (Afellay 80), Van Persie (Sneijder 65).
Subs Not Used: Timmer, Boulahrouz, Braafheid, Van der Vaart.
Booked: De Jong, Huntelaar.
Goals: Huntelaar 30, Van Persie 45, Kuyt 78 pen.
Scotland: McGregor, Alexander (Hutton 73), Berra, Caldwell, Naysmith, Brown, Darren Fletcher, Ferguson, McCormack, Teale (Morrison 85), Miller (Steven Fletcher 71).
Subs Not Used: Gordon, Barr, Iwelumo, Rae.
Att: 49,552.
Ref: Laurent Duhamel (France).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Arsenal star Robin van Persie has revealed he would have joined Rangers had they firmed up their interest when he was a player at Feyenoord.
The Dutchman was approached by then Gers director of football Dick Advocaat but the deal never materialised.
Van Persie, 25, has since gone on to establish himself as one of Europe's top strikers but had things worked out differently, he could have been lining up at Ibrox rather than Emirates Stadium.
"There was some interest from Rangers when I was at Feyenoord," he said.
"The problem for me was they didn't come in and make an offer. I was quite interested because I really wanted to leave my club.
Massive club
"Rangers are massive, like Celtic. I speak to (Celtic defender) Glenn Loovens and he tells me lots of stories about the stadium and Scotland itself.
"My European debut was against Rangers at Ibrox and that was a fantastic moment. When I heard about their interest, I sat by the phone hoping it would ring.
"I was in a difficult situation at my club and desperate to leave. Advocaat told me he needed to sell some players before he could buy. That's why it dragged on and did not happen."
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Arsenal striker Robin van Persie believes the team's experience of handling pressure should ensure they hold off the challenge of Aston Villa.
The Gunners have recently leapfrogged the Midlanders into the UEFA Champions League places, and hold a three-point advantage with eight games of the season remaining.
Villa's rise has been dramatic this season while Arsenal have regularly competed amongst the top four, and Van Persie believes these factors will hand his side the edge in the run-in.
The 25-year-old told Sky Sports News: "We are going from strength to strength. And that is what we want.
Confident
"We are still in the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, and we are in fourth spot now. So I think things are looking quite good now.
"Definitely (we can hold off Villa). We are three points ahead now. Aston Villa did a really good job, but if you look at the history, in my opinion, we can handle the pressure better than them.
"We are used to the pressure. Lots of things can still happen, but I am quite confident."
The Dutchman also suggested Arsenal are now targeting third place, adding: "I am a positive guy. We are six points behind Chelsea and we still have to play them. We need a really good run. Anything is possible in football."
Arsene Wenger's charges have been drawn against Spanish side Villarreal in the last eight of the Champions League, and Van Persie believes the North London side have been handed an excellent chance of reaching the semi-finals.
He continued: "We don't just want to feature in the Champions League, we want to win it. If you look at our draw, I think it was a good one.
"If we could have picked one team, I think we would have picked Villarreal. We are quite happy with it. We will see how it goes."
www.skysports.com
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Robin van Persie has been nominated for the E.ON Player of the Round after his fantastic performance against Hull City in Arsenal’s Quarter-Final victory on March 17.
With the Gunners trailing to Nick Barmby’s deflected strike, Van Persie coolly equalised in the 74th minute after being set up by Andrey Arshavin.
Vote the Dutchman your Player of the Round by clicking here.
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According to the Dutchman, his Arsenal side have cut out the “silly mistakes” that dogged the early part of their campaign. The striker even argues that Arsène Wenger’s side would have been in the thick of the title race right now had they remained relatively blip-free before Christmas.
Of course Arsenal’s Premier League ambitions are a little more mundane right now. Champions League qualification is their primary aim and they went a long way to securing that by moving three points clear of Aston Villa with a 3-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday. Nicklas Bendtner’s goal put the visitors ahead but Obafemi Martins replied immediately. However Van Persie set up Abou Diaby and Samir Nasri to secure a crucial win. According to the Dutchman, the comeback was never in doubt.
“I feel we are unbeatable,” he said. “I go out there thinking we can win every game.
“Even when Newcastle drew level I couldn’t help but feel confident. I never thought ‘oh no, we are not going to win’. When Martins scored the first thing I did was look at the time and I saw we had another half-hour left and I was convinced we would win.
“We are just not dropping points anymore. We are not doing those silly things which have cost us earlier in the season.
“I still look back at the dropped points and it hurts. We are 10 points behind Manchester United and six points behind Chelsea. They were silly mistakes and we lost some silly points against teams who we should have beaten. It is hard to take but that is football. It is a tough lesson to learn.
“But if we carry on in the same way we will not drop any more silly points and who knows what will happen in the League, the FA Cup and the Champions League? We are certainly coming into great form at just the right time.”
www.arsenal.com
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The Premier League contenders for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month for March have been announced. There are just eight days to get your vote in for your favourite player of the month at http://fansaward.givemefootball.com
Premier League (in alphabetical order)
Didier Drogba - Chelsea
Aaron Lennon - Tottenham
Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester Utd
Fernando Torres - Liverpool
Robin Van Persie - Arsenal
Robin has enjoyed another fine month for the Gunners as they climbed back into the top four and booked their place in the Champions League Quarter Final.
The Dutchman cemented his place at the top of Arsenal’s goalscoring charts with a tidy finish against Hull before setting up two goals in the victory at Newcastle.
Vote for Robin now by clicking here.
www.arsenal.com
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Robin van Persie keeps the faith and has refused to rule Arsenal out of the Premier League title race.
The Dutch striker, who delivered two assists during the spectacular 3-1 win over Newcastle, live on Setanta Sports, aims high and understands that his side are back in great form.
When asked whether The Gunners were aiming higher, Van Persie expressed a huge belief and showed a positive attitude.
"I think in this world you have to think positive, so why not?” Van Persie told Setanta Sports about Arsenal's chances of catching Manchester United.
"I think we're close to our best. We've been building it up and playing better and better each game."
"It tells us that we can bounce back,” he said after the game. “We showed it against Hull last week, we showed it again today [Saturday].
"I think this team has a lot of character and it's up to us to show it until the end of the season because we can win lots of things this year."
Arsenal remain fourth, three points above Aston Villa, and Van Persie believes that The Gunners are in the driving seat in the quest for Champions League qualification.
He said: "It's a big advantage because Villa play Liverpool on Sunday and next week Man United and we are three up so the whole situation has changed.
"It's a good thing because Villa are not used to these kinds of situations. We are so it's up to us to stay calm and do what we're doing."
www.setanta.com
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Nicklas Bendtner, Abou Diaby and Samir Nasri secured victory for Arsenal to leave Newcastle in the relegation zone.
Arsenal took the lead when Bendtner headed home Andrey Arshavin's free-kick while Obafemi Martins volleyed home from 12-yards a minute later.
The Gunners were back in front when Diaby smashed home from 18-yards with Nasri sealing the win soon after.
Earlier, Manuel Almunia had saved Martins first-half penalty after he had brought down Newcastle's Ryan Taylor.
Newcastle had begun the day just out of the relegation places but Stoke's 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough meant the Magpies slipped into the bottom three before kick-off.
And defeat to Arsenal further compounds Newcastle's place in the relegation places with eight games left.
For Arsenal victory sees them consolidate their position in fourth place with the Gunners 10 points behind leaders United having played a game more.
Newcastle left Michael Owen on the bench but could have done with the England striker midway through the first half when they were awarded a penalty.
Martins took it, but his weak strike was easily saved by Almunia low to his left.
The Newcastle striker missed further chances, with Peter Lovenkrands also guilty of wastefulness in front of goal.
Newcastle played well in an open first half, but Arsenal always looked dangerous on the break.
Magpies defender twice Steven Taylor blocked goal bound strikes that looked destined for the back of the net, while keeper Steve Harper also saved well from close range from Robin Van Persie.
Taylor, meanwhile, was lucky to escape punishment for a crude elbow on Andrey Arshavin who later shaved the top of the Newcastle crossbar with a fine 25-yard strike.
But despite the open nature of the game, the first half ended goalless. The second half was a different affair.
Newcastle started brightly forcing a series of corners, and from one of them, Steven Taylor had a header cleared off the line by William Gallas.
But Arsenal responded and took a 56th minute lead when an unmarked Bendtner headed home Arshavin's out swinging free-kick from close range. A minute later Newcastle were level.
Martins latched onto a hopeful long ball, blocked Gallas' clearance and volleyed home from inside the box for 1-1.
Arsenal were soon back in the lead with Diaby playing a neat one-two with Van Persie and from 18-yards smashed past Harper for 2-1.
Two soon became three with Nasri beating Harper from a tight angle at the Newcastle keeper's near post.
A rampant Arsenal had further chances with Van Persie forcing a fine save from Harper with Diaby hitting a post in injury time as the Magpies were spared further punishment.
Newcastle: Harper, Steven Taylor (Owen 65), Coloccini, Bassong (Beye 38), Jose Enrique, Ryan Taylor, Butt, Nolan, Duff, Lovenkrands (Ameobi 79), Martins.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Smith, Gutierrez, Geremi.
Goals: Martins 58.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Arshavin (Song Billong 74), Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Van Persie, Bendtner (Eboue 89).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Eduardo, Vela, Djourou, Gibbs.
Booked: Gallas.
Goals: Bendtner 57, Diaby 64, Nasri 67.
Att: 49,972
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has named his final 23 players for the World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and FYR Macedonia, with Orlando Engelaar and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink the two players to miss the cut.
Ibrahim Afellay, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Khalid Boulahrouz all return to the side having missed last month's friendly against Tunisia.
Defensive duo Edson Braafheid and Gregory van der Wiel have the chance to win their second caps after making their debuts against the Tunisians.
Holland face Scotland on March 28 before meeting Macedonia four days later.
Holland squad: Henk Timmer (Feyenoord), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn), John Heitinga (Atletico Madrid), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (FC Twente), Dirk Marcellis (PSV), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax); Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Stijn Schaars (AZ); Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid), Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel (both Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal).
Robin van Persie could be suspended for the match against Macedonia if he receives a yellow card against Scotland. He could also get a place in Holland's top 25 goalscorers if he scores in one of the two matches.
www.sportinglife.com
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Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has hit out at Hull City for employing tactics which he has suggested can be considered as time-wasting during the FA Cup quarter final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The 25-year-old Dutch international has hinted that the Tigers slowed play down at every possible opportunity, in particular when taking goal-kicks and throw-ins.
He also suggested that the Yorkshire based outfit had not given their all and that many fans may have found the game, which Arsenal won 2-1, boring as a result.
"It was very frustrating. I felt like they stole almost 10 minutes, and this is not football, Van Persie is quoted as saying in The Sun.
"I can understand that you wait a little bit longer when you have a throw-in, a little bit longer when you have a free-kick, but not every single time.
"Sixty thousand people come to see a football match, not to just sit there waiting.
"I was quite gutted about it and told the referee a few times because when you play football, especially on an occasion like this, you should try at least."
www.goal.com
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Arsenal scored twice late on to sink Hull City and set up an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley.
Nick Barmby's deflected shot gave Hull the lead after 13 minutes and they held their advantage for more than an hour.
Robin van Persie capped a sustained spell of Arsenal pressure when he slammed home Andrey Arshavin's pass from close range with 16 minutes left.
And Hull were left appealing in vain for offside as William Gallas headed in the winner after 84 minutes.
It ended a gallant fight by Hull and confirmed Arsenal's first visit to the new Wembley.
Phil Brown's side were thwarted just as it looked they might survive a second-half Arsenal onslaught and reach the last four of the FA Cup for the first time in 79 years.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made six changes to the side that beat Blackburn 4-0 on Saturday - but gifted Russian playmaker Arshavin was fit to start, despite having stitches in a foot injury.
And the Gunners were shocked when veteran Barmby gave Hull an early lead.
He got on the end of Andy Dawson's pass and his effort took a crucial deflection off Johan Djourou and looped over goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, deputising for Manuel Almunia.
Hull posed the bigger danger in the opening exchanges, with Geovanni's free-kick turned over by Fabianski and Barmby having another goal ruled out for offside.
Kamil Zayatte then headed over from Peter Halmosi's cross as Arsenal struggled to turn possession into any concerted threat on goal.
Arsenal finally started to apply serious pressure as the interval approached, with Sam Ricketts blocking superbly from Arshavin.
And Hull were under the cosh at the start of the second half, with Abu Diaby heading wide from Arshavin's corner before Arsenal's £15m new boy was again denied by Ricketts.
Dawson then smuggled Van Persie's header off the line, with Alex Song shooting just wide from the rebound.
Song was replaced by Nicklas Bendtner after 64 minutes, while Samir Nasri came on for Carlos Vela.
Van Persie then led an assault on the Hull goal, which led to him finally breaking their resistance and giving Arsenal a deserved equaliser.
He saw a free-kick well saved by keeper Boaz Myhill and struck the bar with a header before Arshavin showed great composure in the area to set him up for a powerful finish from close-range.
Hull almost regained the lead immediately, Geovanni shooting just wide after a moment of hesitation from Djourou.
But it was Arsenal who had the momentum and it took yet another heroic intervention from Ricketts to deflect Bendtner's shot to safety.
The transformation was complete late on when Arsenal took the lead in questionable circumstances, although Myhill must also take some responsibility.
The keeper failed to collect Nasri's lofted free-kick into the box but Gallas looked to be in an offside position when he headed home from three yards.
Hull threw everything forward in a bid to restore equality but Arsenal survived in comfort to reach the last four.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Gallas, Djourou, Gibbs, Walcott (Eboue 82), Song Billong (Bendtner 64), Diaby, Vela (Nasri 64), Van Persie, Arshavin.
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Toure, Denilson, Silvestre.
Booked: Gallas, Nasri.
Goals: Van Persie 74, Gallas 84.
Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Gardner, Zayatte, Dawson, Ashbee (Hughes 46), Barmby (France 76), Geovanni, Fagan, Manucho, Halmosi (Mendy 67).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Garcia, Folan, Featherstone.
Booked: Halmosi, Myhill, Dawson, France, Manucho.
Goals: Barmby 13.
Att: 55,641
Ref: Mike Riley (Yorkshire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Arsenal suffered defeat on the night but beat Roma 7-6 on penalties to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Roma struck on 10 minutes to level the aggregate score when Juan slotted in after shambolic Arsenal defending.
Manuel Almunia saved well from Rodrigo Taddei before Julio Baptista missed from eight yards, while Kolo Toure headed over at the end of normal time.
But Arsenal sealed their progress when Max Tonetto blazed his spot-kick over the bar in sudden death.
Gunners substitute Eduardo had missed the first penalty to hand Roma the advantage but Mirko Vucinic struck an awful effort to put the teams neck and neck once more.
Six faultless penalties later and it was sudden death.
Tonetto stepped up to take the 16th penalty and smashed the ball over to send Arsenal into the last eight of the competition.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had insisted before the match that his side would not sit back and defend their 1-0 lead from the first leg.
And with the same line-up that secured that advantage at the Emirates a fortnight ago, the visitors started confidently.
Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie set about attacking down the flanks but neither could find a team-mate in the box.
And on 10 minutes the balance of the match swung dramatically as Arsenal paid the price for abysmal defending.
Francesco Totti's cross ran between William Gallas and Toure, who left the ball to each other.
And after the ball went through the legs of Taddei, an unmarked Juan tucked the ball in at the far post.
It served to completely knock the composure from Arsenal's stride, while Roma grew in confidence.
Suddenly the intense whistling from the home fans that accompanied Arsenal's possession seemed to affect them as time and again passes went astray.
Instead, Roma's Brazilian playmaker Taddei started to dictate the rhythm of the match, with able support from Totti and Vucinic
Two saves from Almunia in the space of a few seconds kept Arsenal in the game, as he beat away Marco Motta's drive and then tipped Taddei's low shot around the post.
Arsenal, at times defending like a team of strangers, looked vulnerable every time Roma came forward.
In contrast, the Italians were rarely threatened and headers from Van Persie and Abou Diaby failed to trouble keeper Doni.
Roma were also in control in midfield, despite missing the suspended Daniele De Rossi.
But the hosts were almost caught out when Emmanuel Eboue broke down the right, only to cross inches too far in front of Bendtner.
With the tie in the balance, both sides seemed reluctant to force the pace.
Arsenal had a glimpse of goal as Diaby sent a low drive fizzing past the right post, but chances were at a premium.
Then when a gilt-edged opportunity fell to Roma substitute Baptista, the former Arsenal man embarrassingly fluffed his shot.
The introduction of Theo Walcott and, later, Eduardo freshened up Arsenal, and they came forward with a little more purpose.
And in injury time, Toure had a chance to send them into the quarter-finals but he headed over the bar.
The first half of extra-time was scrappy and largely uneventful.
Van Persie volleyed over the bar in just about the only effort on goal and already there was the impression that a penalty shoot-out was looming.
That feeling remained in the second period of extra-time, with Roma tiring and Arsenal still out of sorts.
Walcott shot straight at Doni, Totti fired an effort high and wide and Baptista optimistically appealed for a penalty.
Spot-kicks, though, were not far away - and it was Arsenal who were to end jubilant, and perhaps a little fortunate after a lacklustre display over 120 minutes.
Roma: Doni, Motta, Diamoutene, Juan (Julio Baptista 28), Riise, Brighi (Montella 120), Pizarro, Tonetto, Taddei (Aquilani 90), Vucinic, Totti.
Subs Not Used: Artur, Loria, Ribeiro, Menez.
Booked: Pizarro, Motta.
Goals: Juan 10.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Diaby, Denilson, Eboue (Walcott 74), Nasri, Bendtner (Eduardo 85), Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Djourou, Gibbs, Vela, Song Billong.
Booked: Diaby.
Att: 81,000
Ref: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Robin Van Persie believes Scotland will try to kick Holland off the park when they meet in 18 days' time in the crucial Group 9 World Cup qualifying encounter.
But the Arsenal striker last night warned George Burley's men they'll be wasting their time if they resort to bully-boy tactics at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Van Persie is adamant he won't lose sleep worrying about being clattered by Stephen McManus or Gary Caldwell as he puts up with it every week in England.
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He said: "I'm expecting a physically tough game against Scotland. In England, I often play against teams who have a similar playing style.
"Their football culture is very similar to that in England and it will be difficult for us. They will put their hearts and soul into the game. They will fight, battle and tackle for every ball. We will have to be really physical in the box."
Van Persie, 25, will be a key man for the unbeaten Dutch against the Scots and also against Macedonia four days later. The former Feyenoord striker has revealed the fear of missing out on South Africa 2010 is proving a great motivation for the Dutch.
Frank de Boer, the former Rangers midfielder, is the No.2 to Bert van Marwijk and Van Persie reckons his experience will be vital in pushing the Dutch all the way to the finals.
"In Frank's first talk to us he told us the qualification group is extremely important," said Van Persie. "He spoke from experience as the Dutch team threw away the first two matches in the qualifying stages for the 2002 World Cup.
"Frank said it was a lack of sharpness among the players after they had reached the Euro 2000 semi-finals. He said we must start each game from zero.
"He said there is no worse feeling for a player than not qualifying for a big tournament such as a European Championship or World Cup, sitting at home with a feeling of what might have been'.
"I think it was a very good message from him."
www.theherald.co.uk
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Robin van Persie insists he will still be at Arsenal next season and believes the club can win the UEFA Champions League.
Reports have claimed that Dutch striker Van Persie is stalling on signing a contract extension due to concerns over the Gunners' ability to win trophies.
Van Persie acknowledges he wants to add more medals to his collection, but has vowed to stay at Emirates Stadium.
"Yes. I have a contract until 2011," Van Persie told the Observer when asked if he would be at Arsenal next year.
"It's hard to say anything about it (contract extension) now. But put it this way. I have a friend who says the grass always looks greener in your neighbour's garden. He is right."
Realistic
He added: "My ambitions are very, very high and, I think, realistic. I want to be at a level where, as a club, we are winning things, not just every four or five years, but one or two trophies each year.
"That's what I think this club has in its pocket.
"Some people might think my view is extreme, but that is what I want, and I want to do it here. I am not a guy who gives up. Otherwise I wouldn't be here."
Van Persie is disappointed Arsenal have not mounted a Premier League title challenge this season, but feels Arsene Wenger's side could enjoy success in Europe.
"Playing for a Champions League place is not enough," he continued. "It is not my target, but it is a target we have to take.
"It will mean the world to me if we fight again to win the title. It's not happening now, but we can do it if we give absolutely everything.
"We want to build something special for next year, but let's not forget this year can be special, too. From my heart, I still believe we can win the Champions League."
www.skysports.com
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It has been a poor season for Arsenal but Robin van Persie has stood out while others have toiled. The Dutch striker has his own style – thanks, perhaps, to the fact that his parents are artists
When Robin van Persie at Arsenal arrived from Rotterdam in 2004, a raw but imaginative ball player with an unruly reputation, Arsène Wenger got hold of Dennis Bergkamp and told him to guide the boy along. Theirs was not the usual tutor-protégé relationship – not in the Dutch sense anyway. Van Persie illustrates the point by jabbing a finger at an imaginary pupil and trotting out off firm instructions. "Some Dutch players are like that," he titters.
But Bergkamp being Bergkamp, and Van Persie being Van Persie, there are no prizes for guessing who was the driving force in this mentoring game. The youngster was a blur of questions. "Dennis used to laugh at me," Van Persie recalls. "But it is the Dutch way. If you don't know something, just go and ask."
Van Persie is tremendously inquisitive. During his time at Arsenal, he has posed others – and himself – endless questions, particularly when he was kicking his heels during the long spells of rehabilitation that stalled his career in each of the last two seasons. In 2006‑07, he cracked a metatarsal and lost six months to injury. In 2007-08, he twisted knee ligaments while on international duty in another heavy setback.
"I blame myself a bit on that one," he says, ruefully. "Before it happened I was having an argument with a guy who gave me two elbows in five minutes. I met him in the box and had a chat with him. Straight after there was a corner, I wasn't fully focused, and I twisted my ligaments. If I look back at that, I wasn't really focused on that corner, I was focused on the guy." Top marks for honesty.
"It was a hard time, but it gave me a lot of answers," he says. "Now I know a lot about my body, like how important it is to eat well as it makes you stronger in the end and helps prevent injuries. Or when you train do you just start to shoot or do you have a good warm-up first?
"The guy with the elbows gave me a lot of answers as well. From this year I am not going to interfere with anybody," he announces proudly. "The guy from Roma was punching me and punching me, and I was just looking at him. [He fixes an icy stare.] You are not going to get me out of my game. I have had to come from very deep after the past two years. I feel this is the season for me. I am giving everything, more than I can describe."
So, is he prepared for another rendezvous with his Roman sparring partner in the Champions League on Wednesday night? "He will give me some bruises, but I don't mind. I live on having a challenge when the line is really thin. I like it the most when you have no clue what is going to happen. We beat Roma 1-0, and now we go to play them again. Everyone is on top of their toes, totally excited. These situations get the maximum out of me."
That brings us to a fundamental criticism that has been levelled at an Arsenal team who can vanquish Manchester United and be flattened by Stoke City. Do they not motivate themselves for the lesser challenges? Van Persie promises he is fully energised whoever the opponents, but that does not make him feel any better when his team flounder.
"Look at Hull City," he says, shaking his head. "They played better than us." He is aghast. "In our own stadium." He shudders. "That is not possible." He is off now, in full flow. How? Why? Where did we go wrong? What can we do to fix it?
His mind wanders back to the second fixture of the campaign, at Craven Cottage. Arsenal were hopeless, and Van Persie was on the coach after the 1-0 defeat feeling totally bemused. "I was sitting thinking, they were better than us. That hurts. It is a shock. This kind of thing didn't used to happen much. In the past, even if we lost, we were usually the better team. It was very confronting for me."
Confronting is a smart choice of word. It's an appropriate one at the Emirates Stadium this season, considering most of the paying customers have felt the need to confront where they think Wenger's team is heading. Van Persie has some empathy with the supporters. "Most of the fans have a season ticket or are involved somehow watching every game and you can't hide things from proper fans," he says. "It is their right to say what they want to say, as long as it stays within certain lines."
Although he feels for Emmanuel Eboué, having experienced a similar bout of abuse from his own crowd in Holland when he had physical as well as verbal things chucked at him, he can also appreciate the fans' point of view. "They want to see the team win and playing well and if it doesn't happen it is frustrating. I feel exactly the same thing. When I hear them shout, I can't shout, but inside I am shouting with them: 'Oh no.' Sometimes I see people's faces after another draw and it's like seeing 60,000 mirrors."
He does not shy away from the fact nobody at Arsenal is currently content. "Playing for a Champions League place is not enough," admits Van Persie. "It is not my target, but it is a target we have to take. It will mean the world to me if we fight again to win the title. It's not happening now, but we can do it if we give absolutely everything. We want to build something special for next year, but let's not forget this year can be special, too. From my heart, I still believe we can win the Champions League."
Van Persie won't give up on a happy ending to the season. "It is stupid to say we are going for the title now, but we are still in the FA Cup. We are still in the Champions League. We are still able to qualify for the Champions League. That is two trophies and the other is like a trophy for next year. So in the last three months of the season we have a lot to fight for."
It is a critical week, then, with Burnley's FA Cup visit this afternoon followed by a European job that needs finishing in Rome, and then the resumption of the quest for a fourth-place domestic finish. That suddenly looks a lot more achievable, after last week's results meant the gap behind Aston Villa was reduced to three points. Van Persie has examined the fixtures and expects to hurdle Martin O'Neill's team soon. "Next they have Tottenham, Liverpool, then Man U. We have Blackburn, Newcastle, Man City. It's going to be hard, but if we get in front of them it will be even harder for them to catch us because they are not used to this kind of situation. Of course they might do it – and I have to give Villa credit for having done an amazing job this season – but it looks tough for them."
Another plus point for Van Persie is the return of the creative and attacking reinforcements. He is bursting with enthusiasm, and keen to express why. "First there is Eduardo. In the box he is unbelievable. He has been out for one year, gets in the box and Hup! – it's 1-0. He is a special player, to almost score a hat-trick in his first game back after being out one year.
"Then there is Cesc Fábregas, who is our heartbeat. We miss him a lot and he will be back in a few weeks. And I really, really love Tomas Rosicky. He is an amazing player and we miss him a lot. I hope everything goes well for him. He needs to feel the pleasure again of playing in front of 60,000 people."
There is something in the essence of Van Persie that adores playing football in any situation. A new one for him is playing with his two-year-old son, Shaqueel, who is at the stage of copying everything his father does. Shaqueel is all left foot, and amuses his father no end by tootling all the way round the ball to use his preferred foot if the ball happens to land near his right. Shaqueel comes to all home matches in the afternoon. "He cheers me on and calls me 'Daddy Arsenal'. It's so good."
He laughs, but there is a serious side to his role model persona. He explains that he never used to wear a seatbelt in the car, but now he buckles up. The responsibility of fatherhood has changed him, and Van Persie acknowledges that his enhanced maturity – he is now 25 – has also made a difference to his football.
In these tepid times for Arsenal, Van Persie's desire and team ethic have been conspicuous. He has evolved into one of the team's leaders, and – particularly in the absence of Fábregas – inspires from the front. This has been emphasised by a slight positional shift recently. Instead of playing in the playmaker's position, he has been pushed forward to be more of a target man. Having played left-wing for Feyenoord and right-wing for Holland, now all the boxes are ticked in terms of his attacking development. "I am quite thankful towards the boss for the chance because I can improve in so many ways. If you look at really special players – and I am not there yet as I need to develop those little details – they can play everywhere. Look at Zidane. He was the master of every aspect of the game.He could make the game, explore, get all his energy out."
That he thinks in those terms gives an insight into his upbringing. His parents are artists – his father, Bob, has a specially commissioned piece inside the Emirates of a crowd scene, made from discarded Arsenal magazines – and they encouraged him to express himself, be a free thinker and fight his own battles. "I have a big piece in my living room by my dad, and one by my mum as well. I am very proud of them. Artists have their own style and I am like that too." He got to use his artistic side recently in contributing ideas to create a special car which will be raffled to raise funds and awareness of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Van Persie clearly knows what he wants from football. "My ambitions are very, very high and, I think, realistic. I want to be at a level where, as a club, we are winning things, not just every four or five years, but one or two trophies each year. That's what I think this club has in its pocket. I have won the Uefa Cup with Feyenoord and the FA Cup with Arsenal. I saw what it did to people in our big family – the fans and the whole club – and it makes life a lot easier. Some people might think my view is extreme, but that is what I want, and I want to do it here. I am not a guy who gives up. Otherwise I wouldn't be here."
So can he give an assurance he will be at Arsenal this time next year? "Yes. I have a contract until 2011." What about an extension? "It hard to say anything about it now. But put it this way. I have a friend who says the grass always looks greener in your neighbour's garden. He is right."
If he has any deeper questions about his future, he could always ask Dennis. Whenever the Bergkamps come back to London, they always pop round to visit the Van Persies. Van Persie has just been voted Arsenal's player of the month for February – an accolade he also picked up in November, December and January.
Wenger recently said that Van Persie was reaching the Bergkamp standard. On hearing that, for once Arsenal's No11 is almost lost for words. "I don't think I am there yet," he says. "Dennis was a very special player. But if I stay much longer at the club and win more trophies, then you can start that conversation."
www.guardian.co.uk
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Arsenal coasted through to the FA Cup quarter-finals after demolishing recent Cup giant killers Burnley with three goals of the highest class.
Carlos Vela hit the first with a superb lofted chip in the 25th minute after racing away from three defenders.
Eduardo added a second after the break, converting Alexandre Song's cross with an unorthodox volley off his ankle.
Emmanuel Eboue crashed home a third late on and the improving Gunners will host Hull for a place in the last four.
Having beaten three Premier League teams this season on their way to the Carling Cup semi-finals - including the Gunners - Burnley came into the match confident they could inflict a first defeat in 16 matches on Arsenal, whose momentum is now gathering pace.
Home boss Arsene Wenger, a football purist who preaches the merits of an open attacking approach, even had words of praise for the way Owen Coyle's team play the game.
But, as the teams met for the third time in two seasons, the Championship side were largely outclassed.
An Arsenal side not at full-strength first threatened five minutes in when Andrey Arshavin, yet to score for the north Londoners, dropped deep cleverly before slotting in Vela but the ball just ran away from the young Mexican striker.
When in possession, Burnley - who had only lost one game in their past eight matches - looked good on the ball but Arsenal mostly dominated the play.
After Chris Eagles had whipped in a dangerous cross for the visitors, Arsenal regained their composure and scored with typical class to make the breakthrough.
In the 24th minute, Arshavin gave a simple pass to Vela just inside Burnley's half, and the rest was a blur of brilliance.
The Mexican let the ball run across his body then drew a posse of opponents towards him before pushing it through the legs of a prone Clarke Carlisle and accelerating towards goal.
With Burnley defenders trailing in wake and racing back to catch him, Vela coolly produced an outstanding finish, looping the ball high over the onrushing Brian Jensen with his left foot.
Arsenal could have doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Song floated a clever ball over for Vela but, as he took it down on his chest, Carlisle made a desperate saving tackle before he could shoot.
Caldwell then had to make a similar saving tackle from the sometimes rusty-looking Eduardo but Burnley did then give Arsenal a scare as Lukasz Fabianski failed to clear a corner.
But Arsenal made their dominance pay five minutes after the break with another goal of top-class individual quality.
With Burnley failing to clear a corner, Song chipped a perfectly timed ball over their back-line and Eduardo - just onside - flicked a creative first-time volley into the top corner with the ankle which he broke so badly last year.
Theo Walcott came off the bench to make his first Gunners appearance in over four months following a shoulder injury.
Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna whipped in an accurate cross for Eduardo, but the Croatian international nodded wide with the goal gaping.
Walcott was then played in by Arshavin in the 76th minute but, one-on-one from 12 yards out, he pushed the ball into Jensen's body.
But Arsenal turned the screw in the 84th minute when William Gallas' clever pass found Song who backheeled for Eboue who ran onto the ball and smashed a finish past Jensen into the bottom corner.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Gibbs, Eduardo (Walcott 71), Song Billong, Diaby (Ramsey 71), Vela (Van Persie 60), Eboue, Arshavin.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Clichy, Bendtner, Bischoff.
Goals: Vela 25, Eduardo 51, Eboue 84.
Burnley: Jensen, Alexander, Caldwell, Carlisle, Kalvenes, McDonald (MacDonald 75), McCann, Gudjonsson (Thompson 58), Eagles (Elliott 53), Paterson, Blake.
Subs Not Used: Penny, Mahon, Rodriguez, Jordan.
Booked: McDonald.
Att: 57,454
Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Awards keep rolling in for Arsenal’s flying Dutchman.
Robin van Persie had never before won a Player of the Month award until November, he now has four in a row.
The striker was once again in immaculate form throughout the month, emerging from the bench to notch against Cardiff on the 16th before slamming home a crucial spot-kick to hand the Gunners’ the advantage against AS Roma eight days later.
As a result, the 25-year-old claimed almost a third of the votes in the monthly poll. Manuel Almunia’s four clean sheets in February ensured that he came second and another impressive month for Samir Nasri saw him finish a close third.
FEBRUARY PLAYER OF THE MONTH RESULTS
Robin van Persie 30.7%
Manuel Almunia 18.1%
Samir Nasri 14.2%
Others 37%
www.arsenal.com
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Arsenal's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dealt another severe blow as Fulham inflicted the Gunners' fifth successive league draw.
Andrew Johnson went close for Fulham before Robin van Persie's close-range header was saved by Mark Schwarzer.
Van Persie was foiled by a superb Schwarzer when in on goal and headed against the post after half-time.
Johnson glanced just wide from close range before Schwarzer denied Abou Diaby and Andrey Arshavin late on.
A draw was the least Fulham deserved for a performance full of attacking ambition and dogged defensive resilience. Despite not winning on their travels all season, they have now held Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal.
The visitors' point is only their third of all time away at Arsenal, where they have never won, and takes them up to seventh after Wigan were beaten at Chelsea.
Arsenal are five points adrift of fourth-place Aston Villa, having played a game more, and just two points above sixth-place Everton.
Arsene Wenger's men have now drawn four league matches 0-0 for the first time since October 1993.
There must be serious concerns for Wenger, whose side appears devoid of attacking invention and a cutting edge in front of goal.
For Wenger, the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo and Emmanuel Adebayor cannot return soon enough.
Arsenal last scored a home league goal on 10 January and, perhaps with that in mind, Wenger named Van Persie, Arshavin, Carlos Vela and Samir Nasri in an attack-minded line-up.
But is was Fulham, inspired by midfielders Danny Murphy and Simon Davies and centre-half Brede Hangeland, who made by far the brighter start.
Manager Roy Hodgson restored a fit-again Johnson to his starting XI and, partnered by the in-form Bobby Zamora, he caused Arsenal's centre-halves no shortage of problems early on.
Davies had already evaded the hosts' offside trap and fired over from 20 yards before Johnson twice escaped the attentions of Kolo Toure and William Gallas inside the opening 10 minutes.
The striker scuffed his first effort across goal and well off target but, after turning Toure, flashed his second marginally wide of Manuel Almunia's left-hand post.
With the home crowd beginning to grow restless, Arsenal were quick to respond with an attack of their own and Van Persie saw a powerful header from Arshavin's cross tipped over the crossbar by Schwarzer.
Arsenal's lack of cohesion and predictable attacking game-plan allowed Fulham to grow in confidence and when Gallas could only clear Zamora's centre to Danny Murphy, the midfielder's drive from the edge of the penalty area fizzed just over.
Murphy's shot seemed to remind Arsenal that they were in a game and, after a neat move that ended when Nasri failed to get his shot away, they should have opened the scoring.
Arshavin sent Van Persie through on goal with an exquisite slide-rule pass but the Dutchman's right-footed strike was blocked by an on-rushing Schwarzer.
Arsenal started the second half in determined fashion and after Nasri shot narrowly wide, Van Persie headed onto the roof of the net from the Frenchman's corner.
Van Parsie came even closer soon after as his flicked header from Bacary Sagna's centre clipped the far post, but Fulham were by no means being outplayed.
Clint Dempsey and Johnson almost broke through on the Arsenal goal and Johnson saw a shot deflected onto the roof of the net before flicked Frederik Stoor's cross wide from an unmarked position six yards out.
Schwarzer repelled Diaby's header and Arshavin's fierce drive as Arsenal were frustrated and left the field to a chorus of boos.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna (Eboue 70), Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Arshavin, Denilson, Diaby, Nasri, Van Persie, Vela (Bendtner 63).
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Ramsey, Song Billong, Djourou, Gibbs.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird (Stoor 46), Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey (Gera 88), Johnson, Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Nevland, Kamara, Dacourt, Kallio.
Att: 60,102
Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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