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Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk announced the following 22-man squad on Friday for the World Cup 2010 qualifiers away to Iceland on June 6 and at home to Norway on June 10.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam), Henk Timmer (Feyenoord).
Defenders: John Heitinga (Atletico Madrid), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg SV), Dirk Marcelis (PSV Eindhoven), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers), Edson Braafheid (Twente Enschede), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax Amsterdam), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart).
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar).
Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Real Madrid), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid), Eljero Elia (Twente Enschede).
www.guardian.co.uk
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| Due to interruptions, we didn't change the English news section while we already placed the news titles on the homepage. We've changed it now.
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The Dutchman believes he has done well this year, but hinted that a lack of silverware hurts.
Robin van Persie's season could be deemed somewhat of a breakthrough due to the few disruptions to his campaign, and the front-man certainly feels he has enjoyed a productive campaign.
The Arsenal forward has had a number of recent seasons dogged by a series of niggling injuries, often picked up whilst on international duty with the Netherlands.
However, the left-footed striker believes he has "done well" this season, scoring 20 goals and recording 15 assists in all competitions this year.
"I have done well. I have played 44 games, including 38 as a starting player," the 25-year-old is reported to have told the press today. "In a tough competition like the English one, this is very good.
"Moreover, I had more goals and assists then ever before. I was only missing a trophy."
Van Persie has been subject to transfer speculation, with Italian giants Inter reported suitors.
www.goal.com
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In the last message, you could read that Robin was on many fronts the best at Arsenal. He got four Arsenal player of the month awards for his appearances. Now, at the end of the season, we could vote for Arsenal player of the year. We think that Robin deserves that award and we want to ask you to vote on him at arsenal.com.
You could vote here.
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Robin scored 20 goals in all competitions this season and that makes him Arsenal's topscorer. 11 in the Premier League, 5 in the Champions League and 4 in the FA Cup. 5 of them were penalties. He didn't miss a penalty this season. Robin played 44 matches, a season record for him. In those 44 matches, he got booked 9 times and was sent off once. Robin gave 16 assists in all competitions. This means that he's also Arsenal's top assist scorer. And at the and, he also was 3 times Arsenal's captain.
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Robin ended this season as number one in the top assist scorer list of the Premier League. He gave 11 assists on his teammates. This is the top 5:
1. Robin van Persie 11
2. Dimitar Berbatov 10
3. Francesc Fabregas 10
4. Steven Gerrard 10
5. Frank Lampard 10
Robin is the number 15 in the topscorer list of the Premier League. He scored 11 goals. These are the 5 players who scored the most goals.
1. Nicolas Anelka 19
2. Cristiano Ronaldo 18
3. Steven Gerrard 16
4. De Souza Robinho 14
5. Fernando Torres 14
Robin also did a great job in the Champions League. We will give you a full view after the final.
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Robin van Persie scored twice as Arsenal ended their season in style.
Cesc Fabregas' low cross was turned into his own net by James Beattie and Van Persie then scored with a penalty after being fouled by Ryan Shawcross.
Abou Diaby headed the third and Van Persie hit the bar with a free-kick before Stoke's Ricardo Fuller netted a penalty after being fouled by Denilson.
Rory Delap's error allowed Van Persie to fire in Arsenal's fourth, with Kolo Toure then hitting the post.
All the goals came during a first half in which Stoke were totally outclassed and had to replace injured keeper Steve Simonsen with Thomas Sorensen.
At the other end, 21-year-old keeper Vito Mannone made his Arsenal debut because of injuries to Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.
Stoke, who comfortably avoided relegation in their first season in the Premier League, may have fancied their chances of exploiting Mannone's inexperience - especially through Delap's notorious long throws.
Instead, Mannone produced a smart early save to deny Fuller whereas Simonsen conceded three goals and was substituted by the 20-minute mark.
Fuller had a brief sight of goal after nudging Alexandre Song off the ball, but Mannone dived at the striker's feet to snuff out the danger.
It was an encouraging start by Stoke, but they fell behind when Fabregas combined with Van Persie at a short corner and drove the ball towards Beattie, whose own goal set the tone for a dismal afternoon for his side.
Van Persie was their chief tormentor and after being brought down in the box, he calmly slotted into the corner from the resulting penalty to make it 2-0.
And from the Dutchman's free-kick, Diaby notched his fourth goal of the season to put Arsene Wenger's men firmly in the driving seat.
Simonsen then trudged off to be replaced by Sorensen, who was also carrying an injury and looked less than comfortable but did produce a good save with his legs to deny Theo Walcott.
Stoke were given hope by a penalty from Fuller, who stroked the ball into the middle of the net after Denilson's careless challenge.
Arsenal were immediately back in the ascendancy and after Van Persie rattled the bar with a brilliant free-kick, Andrey Arshavin's attempt to score from the rebound was tipped away by Sorensen.
But Sorensen was unable to rescue his team after a terrible mistake by Delap five minutes before half-time.
Rather than complete Shawcross' half-clearance, Delap attempted to head the ball back to Sorensen and instead found Van Persie, who was able to control on his chest and volley home.
Toure almost made it 5-1 before the break when he popped up in the box and shot against the outside of the near post.
Arsenal continued to dominate in the second half but were unable to add to their goal tally.
Arshavin's left-wing cross was headed wide by Van Persie, who then blazed wide following a goalmouth scramble.
Gunners substitute Emmanuel Eboue also went close when he shot wide, before crossing from the right for Diaby to miss the target with a header.
It as an impressive end to a frustrating season from the Londoners, whose fans showed their support for manager Wenger by chanting his name throughout the game.
Wenger, who had rounded on his critics ahead of this match, will have been pleased with the response of Arsenal's players and supporters.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna (Eboue 57), Toure, Song Billong, Gibbs, Diaby, Fabregas, Denilson, Arshavin (Vela 71), van Persie, Walcott (Bendtner 46).
Subs Not Used: Szczesny, Ramsey, Silvestre, Djourou.
Booked: Denilson.
Goals: Beattie 10 og, van Persie 16 pen, Diaby 18, van Persie 41.
Stoke: Simonsen (Sorensen 21), Wilkinson, Shawcross, Abdoulaye Faye, Dickinson, Lawrence, Diao (Pugh 64), Whelan, Delap, Beattie, Fuller (Cresswell 69).
Subs Not Used: Olofinjana, Kelly, Tonge, Sonko.
Goals: Fuller 31 pen.
Att: 60,082
Ref: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Robin van Persie leaves the Dutch training camp next week in Hoenderloo because he has some problems with a wisdom teeth. The striker travels to Paris where a specialist will remove it.
The Arsenal player joins the Dutch internationals at Tuesday. His wisdom teeth will be removed on Thursday. Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk thinks that the surgery doesn't have any consequences for the World Cup Qualifications against Iceland and Norway in June.
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| After listening to existing members and parents Arsenal decided to split the Junior Gunners membership into three age groups: from birth to 3 years of age, from four years of age to 11 years of age and teenagers aged 12 – 16. Every age group has their own ambassador and Robin is the ambassador for the 0–3 age group. They call the group 'Welcome to our world'. The age group suits perfectly with Robin's own Junior Gunner Shaqueel and a second Junior Gunner coming up.
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There's a lot of gossip about Robin's contract deal. As everyone could read in the couple of weeks, Robin said a few times that the deal is financially ok. We've decided that we doesn't want to add gossip at this fansite. We bring you only the official reactions of Robin or anyone else who is close to the deal (like Arséne Wenger for example).
It's the same with the transfer rumours. There are many of them at the moment but all of them are not more than a rumour. Robin has the intention to stay at Arsenal.
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We add every day new pictures to our gallery. We have a pro-account on Flickr now so we can organize everything better. Take a look at it regularly! You can watch it here.
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Tevez's spectacular equaliser at Wigan earned him a starting place ahead of Dimitar Berbatov - with Ferguson clearly unmoved by continued speculation surrounding the Argentine's future.
Andrey Arshavin was restored to Arsenal's side after illness, and he saw plenty of possession in a first 45 minutes that saw Arsene Wenger's side acquit themselves far better than when the pressure was on in the recent Champions League semi-final against United.
The Russian provided an inviting cross for Van Persie after 13 minutes, but he headed off target with United's defence unlocked.
United's response was a Rooney header from John O'Shea's cross four minutes later. He should have at least tested Arsenal keeper Lukasz Fabianski, but directed a low header just wide.
Arsenal had a foothold in the game without putting United's defence under concerted pressure, but there was enough on show to subdue the atmosphere of anticipation inside Old Trafford.
United had one final opportunity as the interval approached, but Ryan Giggs, who would later collect his 11th Premier League title medal, shot well over the top after good work on the left flank by Rooney.
Van Persie had already been booked for a reckless challenge on Ronaldo, and he was fortunate to escape with a lecture from referee Mike Dean early in the second half for another poor tackle, this time on Patrice Evra.
United had struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, but Fabianski had to be alert on the hour to block Tevez, with Ronaldo firing the loose ball yards over the bar.
It was the final contribution for Tevez, who was replaced by Ji-Sung Park. Ferguson's decision was not well received by Old Trafford, in fact it was met with open derision as the popular striker made his way to the touchline.
Tevez milked the situation for all it was worth, waving to all sides of the ground in apparent farewell - going a step further by acknowledging the fans after taking his place on the bench.
Ronaldo thought he had scored the goal that rubber-stamped the title with 12 minutes left, but his 20-yard angled free-kick dipped just wide with Fabianski beaten.
Fabregas almost stunned Old Trafford with seven minutes left and the clock ticking down towards the title triumph. He found space inside the penalty area but, to widespread relief from the home support, could only find the side-netting.
Van Persie then shot straight at Van der Sar as United looked to have settled for the stalemate that would see them retain their crown.
The Dutch striker gave Old Trafford one final scare when his free-kick was bravely blocked by Michael Carrick.
Seconds later, referee Dean sounded the final whistle and United were crowned champions again.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney (Anderson 90), Tevez (Park 67).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Berbatov, Scholes, Rafael Da Silva.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Song Billong, Gibbs (Eboue 76), Nasri (Bendtner 69), Denilson, Diaby, Fabregas, Arshavin (Walcott 69), van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre.
Booked: van Persie, Arshavin, Fabregas, Nasri, Song Billong.
Att: 75,468
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Arsenal has selected 100 goals for the Gunners' Greatest 50 goals list. One of the goals is Robin's magnificent volley against Charlton Athletic. You can vote for Robin's goal here.
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Robin van Persie believes it is crucial for Arsene Wenger to keep his squad intact over the summer.
Arsenal have gone without silverware for the past four seasons and they have again been unable to mount a strong challenge for the Premier League title.
Recent heavy defeats at the hands of Manchester United and Chelsea have led to calls for a busy summer of transfer activity, with Wenger encouraged to bring in some experienced players.
But Van Persie feels the Gunners can improve and close the gap on their rivals, so long as nobody leaves Emirates Stadium before the start of next term.
Spirit
"The main thing for me is that we stay together," said the Dutchman.
"If we lose three or four (players) every year it is hard to get the spirit in. Hopefully we can stay here and have a real go at it.
"If we can produce games like we did this year there is room for improvement - if you look at our midfield it is between 20 and 22 (years old)."
Arsenal have spent less than the other top clubs over the last few years and Van Persie thinks Wenger should be applauded for bringing through young talent.
He said: "If you look at our squad and different teams, for example Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool, what they cost and what we have cost, that has something to do with it. We can be proud of ourselves."
www.skysports.com
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Chelsea secured a top three Premier League finish and entry into next season's Champions League group stages with a comprehensive win at Arsenal.
Alex powerfully headed Chelsea in front and Nicolas Anelka thundered in a 25-yard strike to dobule Chelsea's lead.
Arsenal's Kolo Toure put Ashley Cole's cross into his own net before a Nicklas Bendtner header pulled it back to 3-1.
The Gunners rallied but Chelsea wrapped up the win when Florent Malouda slotted in after Anelka's shot hit the post.
Arsenal will now be left to negotiate an open draw qualification for next season's Champions League, which could potentially pit them against a team from the German, Spanish or Italian leagues.
Both teams were coming off the back of elimination from this season's competition in midweek and, while the win will provide some consolation for Chelsea, Arsenal's misery will only be compounded by the loss.
It was a defeat that seemed unlikely when Arsenal burst out of the blocks and seemed set to score as they swarmed all over Chelsea.
Theo Walcott played a one-two with Robin van Persie, who appeared in an offside position, only to blaze high with his shot.
Walcott forced a save from keeper Petr Cech with a strike from a tight angle as Chelsea struggled to contain a home side showing the kind of determination and stylish passing that deserted them in their Champions League semi-final against Manchester United.
Abou Diaby sidefooted wide from a Walcott cross but might have been better leaving it for Cesc Fabregas, who was running in directly behind him and was better placed to shoot, as Arsenal again went close.
Chelsea appeared to be suffering from their last-minute Champions League exit to Barcelona, but did finally threaten through Malouda, though his weak effort was easily saved.
Alexander Song turned and shot wide as Arsenal squandered another chance before they were punished by the visitors.
Drogba flighted in a free-kick for Alex to beat keeper Lukas Fabianski with a 12 yard header, which went in off the crossbar.
Former Gunners striker Anelka was allowed to run on the Arsenal goal from midfield and he took advantage by beating Fabianski from 25-yards to add a Chelsea second.
It was a harsh lesson in the benefits of clinical finishing for Arsenal and their predicament got worse after the break when a sliding Toure could only put the ball into his own net from Cole's cross.
A profligate Arsenal saw Walcott screw a shot across goal before substitute Bendtner's header from a Bacary Sagna cross inspired a late rally from Arsenal.
Cech saved well from Mikael Silvestre as Arsenal's pride saw them continue to battle away as they tried to protect a 21-match unbeaten league run.
But any faint hopes of a comeback were ended when Malouda struck late, although he appeared well offside as he passed home after Anelka's initial strike came back to him off the post.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Walcott (Adebayor 68), Nasri, Song Billong (Denilson 67), Diaby (Bendtner 59), Fabregas, Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Mannone, Ramsey, Djourou, Eboue.
Booked: Fabregas.
Goals: Bendtner 70.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa (Ivanovic 77), Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda (Ballack 88).
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Di Santo, Kalou, Belletti, Mancienne.
Goals: Alex 28, Anelka 39, Toure 49 og, Malouda 86.
Att: 60,075
Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Arsene Wenger is optimistic that Robin van Persie will pen a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
The Dutchman is yet to commit to the Gunners with speculation surrounding his future having dragged on for some time.
The 25-year-old is key to Arsenal's plans, especially as he appears to have shaken off the injury problems which have blighted his career to date.
For that reason Wenger knows it is imperative he convinces Van Persie to stay at Emirates Stadium, but he is confident the talented frontman will follow the lead of his fellow forward Theo Walcott by signing an extension to his current deal.
"I am hoping he will sign a new deal and I am trying very hard to get him to sign. I want Robin on board," said the Frenchman.
"He is a very important player in the squad and on the pitch he is a very efficient player."
Loves the club
Wenger added: "We want him to stay because we gave him a chance when he was in a very bad position at Feyenoord.
"I think he developed well here and I don't see a reason for him to go and he loves the club."
Wenger is hoping his policy of putting faith in youth will start to pay dividends in the near future, and he insists he is not prepared to part with any of those promising starlets he has helped nurture into world class talents.
"You cannot imagine that we work as we did with young players and give them a chance, then let them go," he said.
"We are criticised because we play young players, then we are supposed to let them go when they are in a position where they start to perform at the top level? That is not acceptable."
www.skysports.com
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Robin and Bouchra expect their second child! They talk about it in the new Dutch magazine 'Helden' (Heroes) which will be in the stores next week.
We want to congratulate Bouchra and Robin and wish them a pleasant pregnancy.
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| We can't solve the problems with the old gallery so we decided to open a new one at Flickr. This one has a very simple layout, but it's easier for us to upload photos. At this moment, only the photos of this week are uploaded. We try to add all the other photos of this season as soon as possible and in the end we also want to add the older photos.
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Manchester United produced a virtuoso display to remain on course to become the first team to retain the Champions League - and destroyed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's dream of winning his first European trophy.
Arsenal's hopes of wiping out a single-goal deficit from the first leg ended inside 11 minutes as United struck twice to silence an expectant crowd at the Emirates.
Ji-Sung Park pounced on Kieran Gibbs' slip for a close-range finish after eight minutes, while Cristiano Ronaldo fired a 40-yard free-kick past startled keeper Manuel Almunia three minutes later.
It left Arsenal's plans, plus Wenger's bold promise of a "magnificent" performance from his players, in tatters as they were simply unable to cope with the power, pace and energy produced by Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Ronaldo's second goal of the game after 61 minutes summed up his side's display in the space of a few devastating seconds.
Arsenal were undone from their own corner by a superb sweeping move that also involved starring roles for Park and Wayne Rooney before Ronaldo completed the formalities with a flourish. It rubber-stamped United's passage into a final against Chelsea or Barcelona in Rome on 27 May - and on this evidence they will take some stopping.
The only blot on United's otherwise perfect night came 16 minutes from time when Darren Fletcher was sent off by referee Roberto Rosetti, who ruled the midfielder had fouled Cesc Fabregas as he raced in on goal.
Robin van Persie's penalty will not cause United as much pain as Fletcher's suspension for the final.
If United's first-leg performance did not bring the margin of victory it deserved, they were full value for this triumph.
And as Ferguson and United's players celebrated, Wenger was left to contemplate the stark statistic that Arsenal have not won a trophy since they beat these same opponents in the 2005 FA Cup final - and looked light years behind them on the evidence of these two games.
United will now press on to try to seal another Premier League title, safe in the knowledge they can take a tilt at winning this European trophy for the fourth time.
Arsenal attempted to crank up the atmosphere inside the Emirates by placing thousands of flags on seats around the stadium but two early blows from United ensured they were swiftly lowered.
United were desperate for the away goal that would leave Arsenal facing a mountainous task and they were gifted it via an error from Gibbs. He looked comfortably positioned to clear Ronaldo's routine cross but he slipped and Park was on hand to take advantage by sliding in to lift a finish over Almunia.
Arsenal's plight became virtually impossible three minutes later when another mistake, this time from Almunia, allowed United to double their advantage and leave the Gunners requiring four goals.
Van Persie fouled Ronaldo 40 yards out and while his strike was sweetly-struck and dipping, Almunia must take responsibility for moving too late to save an effort that arrived at a comfortable height.
Arsenal's players - and their thousands of followers - were visibly shell-shocked and Rooney almost made it three after 18 minutes.
Playing with great discipline in a left-flank role, he cut in dangerously to test Almunia with a shot the keeper was just able to turn to safety.
United were in complete control and Ronaldo was just off target with a header from Anderson's resulting corner.
Arsenal had been dominated to such an extent that they were reduced to ignoring Wenger's long-held philosophies as they launched aimless balls in the direction of Emmanuel Adebayor and Van Persie.
Their only response was a tame header from Fabregas that provided little more than catching practice for Edwin Van der Sar.
If Arsenal hoped the interval would inspire some remarkable transformation in a one-sided encounter, they were to be disappointed as United simply resumed with the same air of superiority.
Ronaldo tested Almunia with a low shot at his near post before he added United's third - a goal that summed up the quality of his side's performance.
From an Arsenal corner, Ronaldo found Park just 20 yards from his own penalty area. He played in Rooney and when he served up a perfect pass, there was Ronaldo to complete a picture goal with a finish high past Almunia.
It afforded Ferguson the luxury of being able to remove Rooney and Patrice Evra, players who would have missed the final had they had picked up another yellow card.
Fletcher did, however, suffer that fate when he was shown a straight red card by referee Rosetti 14 minutes from time when Fabregas tumbled as the pair collided in the penalty area.
Rosetti awarded a penalty, which Van Persie duly scored, but replays showed Fletcher appearing to get a clean touch on the ball before Fabregas fell to the ground - although there was no suggestion the Arsenal captain dived.
United then simply played out time before taking deserved acclaim at the conclusion of a magnificent team effort - as Europe's elite trophy came into sight for Ferguson and his men once more.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Djourou, Gibbs (Eboue 45), Walcott (Bendtner 63), Fabregas, Song Billong, Nasri, Van Persie (Vela 79), Adebayor.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Silvestre, Diaby, Denilson.
Booked: Nasri, Adebayor, Eboue.
Goals: Van Persie 76 pen.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (Rafael Da Silva 65), Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson (Giggs 63), Park, Ronaldo, Rooney (Berbatov 66).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Evans, Scholes, Tevez.
Sent Off: Fletcher (75).
Goals: Park 8, Ronaldo 11, 61.
Att: 59,867
Ref: Roberto Rosetti (Italy).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Khalid Boulahrouz knows van Persie very well. Not only as a team mate of the Dutch national team, but also as a friend.
"Robin develops very fast. He grew as a human and a player. I know that in his first season, he played a lot as a left-winger and did many tricks. He plays different now. He improved his efficiency and output. The assit on Adebayor against Villareal is a nice example. A few years ago, he would keep the ball and make his own action. He's a team-player now. Very mature."
"I know his ambitions go far. He wants to win prices. He needs that. I bestow van der Sar also the best but I hope with all my heart that Arsenal reach the final. I want Robin to win the Champions League. He deserves it as a human and a player."
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