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Arsene Wenger was sent from the dug-out in fury after Abou Diaby's own goal gifted Manchester United victory at Old Trafford and wrecked Arsenal's flawless start to the new season.
Arsenal were on course for a fifth successive victory in domestic and European combat when Andrey Arshavin's magical finish gave them the advantage over the Premier League champions just before the interval.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side had struggled to make any impact against Arsenal's resilient rearguard - but the shape of the game altered dramatically in the space of five minutes around the hour mark.
Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia needlessly fouled Wayne Rooney after 59 minutes to allow the England striker to equalise from the penalty spot.
And the transformation in the game and the atmosphere inside Old Trafford was complete when Diaby, in a moment from his nightmares, headed Ryan Giggs' free-kick into his own goal in front of an ecstatic Stretford End.
Arsenal were shattered as their previous good work was squandered and boss Wenger's misery was complete when he was sent from his technical area by referee Mike Dean for kicking away a plastic bottle in frustration when Robin van Persie's injury-time strike was ruled out for offside.
United keeper Ben Foster was culpable when he allowed Arshavin's 25-yard shot to fly in, but he was the hero when he prevented Arsenal taking what could have been an unassailable two-goal lead just after half-time as he blocked Van Persie from six yards when he seemed certain to score.
Van Persie also struck the bar before Diaby's calamitous own goal as a highly-anticipated encounter finally sparked into life after the break.
Ferguson surprisingly left Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen on the bench and opted for width in the shape of Nani and Antonio Valencia - a formation that failed to trouble Arsenal in a disjointed first 45 minutes for the champions.
Much rested on the shoulders of Rooney, and he almost fashioned an early breakthrough when he set up Darren Fletcher in the fourth minute, but the Scotland midfield man failed to find the target from 10 yards.
Arsenal were able to reintroduce Van Persie and Arshavin to their starting line-up after the midweek Champions League win against Celtic, and they posed the biggest threat to United in an opening period lacking in quality until the Russian's wonderful goal.
Van Persie created a chance for himself inside the area, but was blocked by Patrice Evra before Arshavin capped an eventful few seconds by giving Arsenal a lead they just about deserved five minutes before the interval.
Arsenal had clear penalty claims rejected by referee Dean when Fletcher appeared to handle when he challenged Arshavin in the area - but as play progressed the little striker stunned Old Trafford by regaining possession and unleashing a rising angled drive from 25 yards that flew beyond Foster.
It was a moment of joy for Arsenal and Arshavin, but miserable for England keeper Foster, who should have done much better after getting his hand on the ball.
Foster went some way towards making amends for his mistake two minutes after the restart, making a vital block with his leg as Van Persie stole in on more wonderful work from Arshavin inside the area.
Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia was the central figure when United equalised after 59 minutes, making an ill-judged dash from his line and felling Rooney as he went away from goal. Rooney recovered to send Almunia the wrong way from the spot and United's hopes were revived.
Referee Dean took the unusual - but correct - step of booking both Rooney and Wes Brown in the same incident as they hacked at Diaby. And Van Persie almost inflicted more punishment on United with a swerving free-kick that rebounded back off the bar with Foster beaten.
If Arsenal were knocked back by conceding a penalty, Wenger was beside himself in his technical area after 64 minutes when his side gifted United a second goal.
Giggs could only direct his free-kick on to the head of Diaby who, with no other player in close attendance, inexplicably directed a header past Almunia into his own net.
The setback understandably knocked the stuffing out of Arsenal and Wenger made a change after 78 minutes, sending on Eduardo for Denilson. The striker received a hostile reception from the Old Trafford crowd in the wake of the controversy over his alleged dive in the Champions League against Celtic.
But their hopes of restoring equality suffered a blow shortly after when Arshavin limped off after appearing to sustain a muscle injury as he chased Van Persie's through ball.
As Arsenal pushed for the equaliser, they predictably left spaces at the back and United almost cashed in. Substitute Berbatov slashed a shocking finish wide and Nani was denied by Almunia.
But Arsenal's mood was summed up by the sight of a disbelieving Wenger being dispatched from the technical area after he thought Van Persie had equalised, only to see his joy cut short by a linesman's flag.
And the sight of Arsenal's manager being escorted towards the tunnel only increased the joy around Old Trafford as Manchester United celebrated a crucial three points.
Manchester United
* 12 Foster
* 03 Evra yellow card
* 06 Brown yellow card
* 15 Vidic
* 22 O'Shea
* 11 Giggs (Berbatov 85)
* 16 Carrick
* 17 Nani
* 24 Fletcher
* 25 Valencia (Park 63)
* 10 Rooney yellow card
Substitutes
* 29 Kuszczak,
* 02 Neville,
* 08 Anderson,
* 13 Park,
* 18 Scholes,
* 07 Owen,
* 09 Berbatov
Arsenal
* 01 Almunia yellow card
* 03 Sagna yellow card
* 05 Vermaelen
* 10 Gallas yellow card
* 22 Clichy
* 27 Eboue yellow card (Bendtner 71)
* 02 Diaby
* 15 Denilson (Eduardo 79)
* 17 Song Billong yellow card
* 23 Arshavin (Ramsey 81)
* 11 Van Persie yellow card
Substitutes
* 24 Mannone,
* 18 Silvestre,
* 28 Gibbs,
* 16 Ramsey,
* 19 Wilshere,
* 09 Eduardo,
* 52 Bendtner
Ref: Dean
Att: 75095
www.bbc.co.uk
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Holland boss Bert van Marwijk has named 22 players for the Oranje's international friendly against Japan on September 5 and their World Cup qualifier against Scotland on September 9.
Celtic defender Glenn Loovens is one of the surprise inclusions and the centre-back will be more than happy to hear that he's part of the Dutch squad for the first time in his career.
Furthermore, Van Marwijk has left Ryan Babel out of the group in favour of Hamburger SV star Eljero Elia. The latter has been impressive since joining the Bundesliga side, while Babel is struggling to find his best form.
Bayern Munich skipper Mark van Bommel is unavailable due to a toe injury and is therefore left out, while PSV youngster Dirk Marcellis is not fully match fit either and is not invited either.
Full Squad:
Goalie: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Piet Velthuizen (Vitesse), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)
Defence: Edson Braafheid (Bayern Munich), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Atlético Madrid), Glenn Loovens (Celtic), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV), André Ooijer (PSV), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax)
Midfield: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), David Mendes da Silva (AZ), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax)
Attack: Eljero Elia (Hamburger SV), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Dirk Kuijt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal) , Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich)
www.goal.com
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Arsenal continued their impressive start to the season with a resounding victory over struggling Portsmouth.
Abou Diaby opened the scoring with a first-time finish from Eduardo's cut-back and doubled the lead when he tapped in Emmanuel Eboue's cross.
Younes Kaboul headed in to give Portsmouth hope but Arsenal responded when the ball rebounded off William Gallas's face and into the net.
Aaron Ramsey slotted home a Robin van Persie pass to seal the hosts' win.
The result sends Arsenal top of the league on goal difference and maintains their 100% start to the season in all competitions.
But with their Champions League qualifying play-off second leg against Celtic on Wednesday and a trip to Manchester United on Saturday, manager Arsene Wenger will be sweating on the fitness of captain Cesc Fabregas, who went off at half-time with a hamstring injury.
Portsmouth drop to the foot of the table and, despite engineering a number of clear-cut chances, look to be in desperate need of reinforcements.
With three defeats from as many games, the south coast club have now made their worst start to a Premier League season and they can only hope that the ongoing saga surrounding their ownership is resolved soon.
They have not won away from home since beating Sunderland on 8 November 2008 and the departures of Glen Johnson, Sean Davis and Peter Crouch have left them looking listless in defence, midfield and attack.
To compound their woes, goalkeeper David James was forced off with an injury to his left knee, a sight which would not have pleased on-looking England coach Fabio Capello ahead of his side's World Cup qualifier against Croatia on 9 September.
On a brighter note, loan signing Frederic Piquionne looked dangerous throughout and the 30-year-old French forward could prove a key addition to a squad that might well be heading for a relegation battle.
Wenger made four alterations to his starting line-up - Eboue, Kieran Gibbs, Diaby and Eduardo replacing Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Alexandre Song and Nicklas Bendtner - but the change of personnel did little to disrupt a rhythm that had brought Arsenal impressive wins against Everton and Celtic.
A neat passing move between Denilson and Fabregas sent Diaby bearing down on goal but the Frenchman seemed to get caught in two minds and was eventually thwarted by Nadir Belhadj.
Visiting full-backs Belhadj and Marc Wilson were enduring a torrid afternoon and when Eduardo skipped past Wilson on the left, the Croatian was able to square for Diaby to crash a side-footed finish into James's top left-hand corner.
Arsenal were purring and four minutes later they doubled their lead - Fabregas playing Eboue in behind Belhadj and the Ivorian crossing for Diaby to roll the ball past James from close range.
The hosts squandered numerous chances to extend their advantage and their profligacy allowed Portsmouth to grow in confidence.
Their first clear-cut opening of the first half saw Kanu sashay in off the right wing and tee up John Utaka, only for Eboue to arrive with a last-ditch block.
Paul Hart's men were working hard to force a way back into the match and they were rewarded when Kaboul towered above a static Almunia to nod in Belhadj's centre from the left.
Pompey continued to press forward at the beginning of the second half and picked holes in the Arsenal defence on a number of occasions, but their hopes of completing a comeback were soon dashed.
An Andrey Arshavin free-kick from the left was headed on by Van Persie and knocked across goal by Thomas Vermaelen, before it hit Gallas in the face and went in via a post.
Portsmouth almost responded through Piquionne, the France international surging through on goal but delaying his shot long enough for Gibbs to get back, while Utaka fired wide from a glorious position late on.
But by that point 18-year-old Ramsey had put the game to bed with his first league goal for Arsenal, an assured finish having collected Van Persie's slide-rule pass.
Arsenal
* 01 Almunia
* 10 Gallas
* 27 Eboue
* 28 Gibbs
* 02 Diaby yellow card
* 04 Fabregas (Ramsey 46)
* 05 Vermaelen
* 15 Denilson
* 23 Arshavin (Merida 71)
* 09 Eduardo (Bendtner 71)
* 11 Van Persie
Substitutes
* 24 Mannone,
* 03 Sagna,
* 22 Clichy,
* 16 Ramsey,
* 17 Song Billong,
* 46 Merida,
* 52 Bendtner
Portsmouth
* 01 James (Begovic 75)
* 03 Kaboul
* 15 Distin
* 39 Belhadj
* 04 Mokoena
* 06 Mullins
* 17 Utaka
* 19 Kranjcar
* 35 Wilson (Vanden Borre 69)
* 09 Piquionne
* 27 Kanu (Nugent 68)
Substitutes
* 31 Begovic,
* 18 Vanden Borre,
* 40 Ward,
* 22 Hughes,
* 33 Basinas,
* 41 Ritchie,
* 10 Nugent
Ref: Bennett
Att: 60049
www.bbc.co.uk
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Robin is part of this month's Arsenal Magazine (Vol 8, August):
*Robin van Persie assigns the roles in 'Best Man for the Job'
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Robin van Persie believes the togetherness in the Arsenal squad could propel them to success this season.
The Dutchman has played a leading role in the Club's flying start to the campaign, spear-heading a new three-pronged strike force at Everton in the Premier League and Celtic in Europe.
Arsène Wenger's side have scored eight times already and, although Van Persie has not netted himself, he has been part of a consummate collective effort.
Arsenal pressed their opponents all over the pitch at Goodison Park and Parkhead, and it's that camaraderie and willingness to work for each other which convinces the Dutchman that Arsenal are heading in the right direction.
"The season is still young but we have played two important games," Van Persie told Arsenal.com after Tuesday night’s Champions League win.
"I think we showed in both that we really want to fight for each other and if we can produce that every three or four days, we can make a big step forward. Hopefully then we can have a great season.
"Maybe being written off [in the media] brings the players a little closer together but we will see what happens," he added. "I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to make the 'enemy' cleverer than they are!
“But if you look at the first two games, we played well. Our targets are as high as last year and if we can stick together and stay together and work hard for each other, we can make it a good season."
www.arsenal.com
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Arsenal enjoyed the rub of the green as they established a commanding Champions League play-off lead against Celtic.
A Cesc Fabregas free-kick on the stroke of half-time flew into the net off the back of William Gallas as the defender crouched to avoid the ball.
And midway through the second half Celtic skipper Gary Caldwell diverted a Gael Clichy cross into his own net.
The manner of the goals were harsh on the hosts, who faded after an energetic first half and posed little threat.
Celtic worked hard to contain Arsene Wenger's side but it was a largely comfortable evening for the Gunners back four.
And the win ensures they become the first English side in nearly 26 years to beat Celtic on their own ground. The last team to do so was Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal, unchanged from the side that demolished Everton at the weekend, failed to find any passing rhythm early on as Celtic, starting with five across midfield, chased down every cause.
But once the visitors had gone in front the result seldom looked in doubt and Celtic's challenge rather fizzled out.
After a scrappy opening, Andrey Arshavin popped the ball into the net following a rare flowing move on 11 minutes but the Russian forward had strayed offside.
A promising Celtic break was thwarted by Thomas Vermaelen, with the new Gunners defender showing great pace and awareness to get back and force Scott Brown to skew wide after Aiden McGeady had picked out his team-mate rushing into the penalty area.
Robin van Persie was inches away from gathering a lofted pass over the top from Arsenal skipper Fabregas and the scurrying Arshavin had the sting taken out of his shot by defender Glenn Loovens, allowing Artur Boruc to make a simple save.
Celtic continued to press and a drilled effort from Brown was smothered by Manuel Almunia as it skidded through the legs of lone striker Georgios Samaras, who was blocking the Arsenal keeper's field of vision.
Just as a whirlwind first half looked destined to end goalless, the visitors took the lead thanks to a large slice of fortune.
Fabregas rifled in a free-kick from 25 yards and the ball deflected off the back of Gallas and spun into the bottom corner of the net, with Boruc wrong-footed.
With Celtic jittery in defence, Arsenal made a strong start to the second half and Denilson curled a shot narrowly wide before the visitors enjoyed another lucky break.
Shaun Maloney's free-kick into the penalty area was diverted on to the arm of Nicklas Bendtner but referee Massimo Busacca waved play on, much to the anguish of the vociferous home support.
Celtic introduced strikers Scott McDonald and Marc-Antoine Fortune for the final half hour and an important sliding block from Gallas prevented the substitutes from combining in front of goal.
With 20 minutes remaining, Arsenal stretched their lead and again it was unfortunate on the home side as Caldwell's outstretched leg diverted a low Clichy cross beyond Boruc.
It may have been an ugly finish but the sweet passing move involving substitute Abou Diaby and the galloping French full-back put the Celtic captain under pressure, with Bendtner waiting to pounce.
Boruc later made an unorthodox block to keep out a venomous strike from Fabregas as Arsenal found more room to exploit and played out the closing stages comfortably.
Celtic
* 01 Boruc
* 02 Hinkel
* 05 Caldwell
* 11 Fox yellow card
* 22 Loovens yellow card
* 06 N'Guemo yellow card (McCourt 76)
* 08 Brown
* 18 Donati (McDonald 56)
* 46 McGeady
* 09 Samaras (Fortune 56)
* 13 Maloney
Substitutes
* 24 Zaluska,
* 03 Naylor,
* 48 O'Dea,
* 16 Flood,
* 07 McDonald,
* 10 Fortune,
* 20 McCourt
Arsenal
* 01 Almunia
* 03 Sagna
* 10 Gallas
* 22 Clichy yellow card
* 04 Fabregas
* 05 Vermaelen
* 15 Denilson
* 17 Song Billong
* 23 Arshavin (Diaby 69)
* 11 Van Persie
* 52 Bendtner
Substitutes
* 24 Mannone,
* 18 Silvestre,
* 27 Eboue,
* 28 Gibbs,
* 02 Diaby,
* 16 Ramsey,
* 09 Eduardo
Ref: Busacca
Att: 58000
www.bbc.co.uk
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Artur Numan believes his countryman Robin van Persie represents one of the biggest threats to Celtic’s chances of overcoming Arsenal to reach the group stages of the Champions League.
The London club will bring a galaxy of stars to Celtic Park on Tuesday for the first leg of the qualifier between the clubs. They have one of the best midfielders in the world in their captain, Cesc Fabregas.
Then there is the £10m Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin, who has settled so well into life at the Emirates Stadium, and the England internationalist Theo Walcott, with his electrifying pace wide on the right.
Throw in the likes of Eduardo and 17-year-old Jack Wilshere, and it is patently clear Tony Mowbray’s men will not have their troubles to seek.
But it is the flying Holland frontman that Numan, the former Rangers full-back who was himself no stranger to facing up to Celtic in big games, feels has the potential to upstage his team-mates and seize the headlines.
“There are so many great players at Arsenal,” Numan said. “You go through their squad and there is no getting away form the fact they have some special, special footballers.
“Fabregas, for example, is a tremendous footballer. He has great energy levels and although he is a central midfielder you see him popping up out on the right, over on the left and also in the penalty area. He is perhaps the biggest name at the club.
“Then there is Arshavin, a player many people in Scotland would have watched when he played for Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Cup Final against Rangers just over a year ago.
“He was the best player on the pitch that night and has gone on to show just how good a player he is in the English Premier League.
“What he lacks in height he makes up for in strength. He is very good at holding the ball up, he has fantastic feet and is extremely creative in the final third.
“As with Fabregas, Celtic will be well aware him and what dangers he will present to them. However, van Persie has the ability to be the most dangerous of the lot. I’ve no doubt whatsoever that trying to prevent him from influencing the game too much will be one of the main objectives for Celtic on Tuesday night.”
Numan, who won 45 caps for Holland, has kept a close eye on van Persie’s progress at both international and club level. And he agrees he has developed into an outstanding footballer.
“When Robin moved to Arsenal from Feyenoord five years ago many people back in Holland thought he was taking too big a jump too early in his career,” Numan said. “There were fears it would be too much for him as he was only 20 at the time.
“Arsenal, of course, had some fantastic footballers back then, too – some of the best players in the world, especially in attack. People who were critical of the switch would not have expected Robin to force his way into the team.
“But he was fortunate in that Dennis Bergkamp was there and I think he helped guide Robin at Arsenal.
“Playing and training with better players on a daily basis can only help you improve and that was certainly the case with Robin.
“He has developed into a great player and working under Arsene Wenger for so long has been hugely beneficial to him. He is playing under a coach who believes in him as he has just signed a new long-term contract within the last few weeks.”
Numan believes one of the biggest problems facing Celtic this week with regard to dealing with Van Persie is that they will find it practically impossible to pin down the roving striker.
He said: “Robin can play on the left, in the middle and also wide on the right.
“Personally, I feel his best position is through the middle but even in the wider positions he can be extremely effective.
“Everyone knows he has a wonderful left foot. If he is out on the left he has the pace to pass a full-back on the outside and deliver a dangerous cross and when he is on the right he can cut inside and have a shot at goal.
“During the week, Robin only played for 45 minutes for Holland when they faced England in a friendly fixture but it was long enough for everyone to tell he was one of the best players on the pitch.
“And that was in the company of some of the world’s top players.
“Celtic will undoubtedly have to try to find a way of not allowing him to influence the game if they are to be successful in these qualifying matches.”
www.theherald.co.uk
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Arsenal produced a scintillating opening-day display to hammer a woefully out-of-sorts Everton.
Denilson fired Arsenal ahead with a curling 25-yard strike before new signing Thomas Vermaelen doubled their lead with a header from a free-kick.
William Gallas headed the third before two Cesc Fabregas goals made it 5-0.
Gunners substitute Eduardo was on hand to tap in a late sixth before Louis Saha rolled in the most inconsequential of goals for Everton in injury time.
In the aftermath of this defeat for Everton, questions will inevitably be asked about the mindset of Toffees centre-back Joleon Lescott, who has made it clear he would like to join Manchester City and here formed one-quarter of a very poor home backline.
There will be no need for such soul-searching at Arsenal though as they produced a stunning display of incisive, fluent counter-attacking football to register the biggest opening-day victory in Premier League history.
For the first 25 minutes the hosts matched their visitors as the presence of 10 midfield players on the pitch, led to shared possession in a congested central third.
In pre-season, Nicklas Bendtner doubled his shirt number but in being asked to play an unfamiliar role as one-fifth of Arsenal's midfield quintet his usual work-rate was similarly increased, and it was he who fashioned the chance from which his team opened the scoring.
The tall Dane brought the ball down and fed Fabregas, who in turn found Denilson 25 yards out and his first-time shot curled away from Tim Howard's despairing dive and found the top left-hand corner.
Denilson proved equally useful at the other end minutes later when Marouane Fellaini muscled himself some room in a crowded penalty area to allow him to head Leighton Baines's right-wing corner goalwards but the Brazilian was well-placed on the line to punt clear.
It was to be a costly miss for the home side for in Arsenal's next attack Robin van Persie swung a right-wing free-kick to the far post where Vermaelen had found space round the back to double the visitors' lead with a header into the far corner.
It was a harsh lesson, but one Everton failed to heed for barely five minutes later another Van Persie free-kick, this time from the left, found Gallas unmarked in front of goal and with the simplest task to glance his header in.
Any fight David Moyes may have drummed up in his side at half-time was knocked out of them two minutes into the second half as Van Persie fed Fabregas through on goal and his shot found its way under the onrushing Howard and into the net.
The Spanish midfielder - the creative force at Arsenal's heart - showed just why he is so coveted by European champions Barcelona when he scampered through and struck a low drive into the bottom left corner for his second and the Gunners' fifth.
Eduardo, making his Premier League return after his lengthy absence through injury as a late substitute, got himself in on the act when he found himself in the right place to tap in a simple sixth for the Gunners.
Andrey Arshavin's toe-poke had struck a post and fallen at the Croatian's feet leaving the easiest of finishes.
Everton introduced Saha in an attempt to register a presence on the scoreline, and while the French forward did indeed side-foot in a goal after Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia had parried a shot from Steven Pienaar, it was far too late to garner any respectability for the home side.
Everton
* 24 Howard
* 02 Hibbert (Gosling 58)
* 03 Baines
* 04 Yobo
* 05 Lescott
* 18 Neville
* 17 Cahill
* 20 Pienaar
* 21 Osman (Saha 58)
* 25 Fellaini
* 11 Jo (Rodwell 58)
Substitutes
* 01 Nash,
* 34 Shane Duffy,
* 19 Gosling,
* 26 Rodwell,
* 08 Saha,
* 14 Vaughan,
* 37 Baxter
Arsenal
* 01 Almunia
* 03 Sagna
* 10 Gallas
* 22 Clichy
* 04 Fabregas (Ramsey 72)
* 05 Vermaelen
* 15 Denilson
* 17 Song Billong
* 23 Arshavin
* 11 Van Persie (Eduardo 72)
* 52 Bendtner (Eboue 63)
Substitutes
* 24 Mannone,
* 18 Silvestre,
* 27 Eboue,
* 28 Gibbs,
* 16 Ramsey,
* 46 Merida,
* 09 Eduardo
Ref: Halsey
Att: 39309
www.bbc.co.uk
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Robin van Persie's substitution was only a precaution. Robin had a groin problem and because of the busy schedule in the next few weeks, Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk decided to take him off.
UPDATE: It look likes it's nothing to worry about. Arsene Wenger doesn't name Robin when he talked today about players who came back injured from national duty. That means that Robin is fit for Saturday's match.
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Jermain Defoe struck twice as England came from two goals down at the interval against the Netherlands to earn a creditable draw in Amsterdam.
Dirk Kuyt and Rafael Van der Vaart punished errors by Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry to give the Dutch control.
But Defoe came off the bench to race clear and pull a goal back after 49 minutes to give England hope.
And he steered in a cross from fellow substitute James Milner with 13 minutes left as England finished strongly.
England coach Fabio Capello will have mixed feelings about the performance of his side - and will demand the basic errors that cost two goals be eradicated as the build up continues towards what he hopes will be a serious World Cup challenge in South Africa next summer.
But he will be delighted by the spirit shown as England fought their way back into contention with Defoe as the spearhead, helped by impressive cameos from two other substitutes in Carlton Cole and Milner.
England's hopes of a morale-boosting result were undermined by a dreadful error from Ferdinand that gifted the Dutch an early goal.
Ferdinand's attempted backpass was desperately casual and fell well short of Robert Green, allowing Kuyt to round the keeper before finding the roof of the net via the outstretched leg of the despairing John Terry.
England almost hit back after 17 minutes when Glen Johnson's clever pass released Frank Lampard inside the area, but his powerful shot was blocked by the legs of Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
David Beckham was prominent in the early exchanges, and he set up Barry for a long-range shot that flew just over the top.
Green was then forced to save with his legs after Van der Vaart's free-kick found Kuyt at the far post, before another calamitous moment of carelessness allowed the Dutch to double their advantage.
This time Barry was the culprit with a pass straight to the feet of Arjen Robben. Green did well to block his shot, but Van der Vaart was on hand to steer home the rebound.
Capello made three changes at the interval, sending on Defoe, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Carrick for Emile Heskey, Beckham and Barry.
And they reaped an instant reward inside four minutes of the restart when Defoe raced clear on to Lampard's pass and beat Stekelenburg off the inside of an upright.
Defoe was lively and got on the end of a cross from Milner, introduced for his England debut as a substitute after 67 minutes, only to head just over.
And Cole, on for Wayne Rooney, shot inches wide seconds later as England pressed for an equaliser in impressive fashion.
England were in the ascendancy, and it was no surprise when they drew level with 13 minutes left when Milner outstripped John Heitinga on the left flank and provided a perfect cross for Defoe to pounce again inside the six-yard box.
It set the stage for a powerful finish by Capello's side, as the Dutch were forced on to the back foot in the closing stages as England pushed for an unlikely victory.
Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Braafheid, De Jong, Schaars (Mendes da Silva 82), Van Persie (Babel 46), Van der Vaart (Sneijder 46), Robben (Afellay 55), Kuyt (Huntelaar 78).
Subs not used: Vorm, Marcellis, Van der Wiel, De Zeeuw.
Goals: Kuyt 10, Van der Vaart 37.
England: Greene, Johnson, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole (Bridge 84), Beckham (Carrick 46), Barry (Wright-Phillips 46), Lampard, Young (Milner 68), Heskey (Defoe 46), Rooney (C. Cole 59).
Subs not used: Hart, Robinson, Lescott, Upson, Walcott.
Goals: Defoe 49, 77.
Att: 50.000.
Ref: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy).
www.bbc.co.uk
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Robin van Persie last night warned he has targeted a dream double in Glasgow that would put Celtic and Scotland to the sword.
Arsenal star van Persie will go head to head with his old mate Glenn Loovens at Parkhead next week - before he turns his attention to wrecking Scotland's World Cup dream at Hampden next month.
And the Holland ace warned he will kill off George Burley's dream of leading the nation to South Africa if the Scots don't get the win they crave in Oslo tonight.
But first of all van Persie is aiming to be an unpopular figure with Celtic fans - and risk ruining his friendship with Loovens.
The 26-year-old is pals with the Hoops stopper from their time together at Feyenoord and he said: "Let's just say there have been a few text messages flying back and forward.
"We've been teasing each other. We were in contact after the draw was made and it's going to be difficult. We played against each other in the FA Cup when Glenn was at Cardiff City and thankfully I won on that occasion.
"But talk of the Champions League qualifier is for after international duty. Friendly games are important for us and we play England tonight. Almost all the players in both squads are with big teams so it's going to be a very interesting game.
"I don't think there will be many surprises as we are all very familiar with each other and our qualities but it should be an interesting spectacle."
Van Persie kicked into touch the theory that Holland will ease up in Glasgow in the final qualifier with their South Africa 2010 qualification already wrapped up with a game to spare.
Scotland's Euro 2008 dreams died in the final qualifying game at Hampden after defeat to Italy and the Tartan Army don't want a repeat scenario with Holland the visitors this time around.
Van Persie, though, says that could be the case if Scotland don't win in Oslo. The Gunners star took time out to speak to Record Sport about our situation ahead of his own country's friendly with Fabio Capello's troops tonight.
By the time they kick off in the Amsterdam ArenA the final whistle will have sounded in Oslo and van Persie hopes for Scotland's sake it signals a victory because there won't be any favours from Holland.
He said: "I can tell Scotland now not to expect anything less than a team 100 per cent committed. There is absolutely no chance we will be taking our foot off the gas so if we reach the heights we know we can on September 9 then it's up to Scotland to match us.
"When we go to Hampden it will be up to us to show the commitment we have in the first seven games of the group and try to improve our game so we're in the best shape possible when South Africa comes around.
"We have one qualifier left and a bunch of friendlies and it's up to us to approach them like proper games - and that will certainly be the case with the last qualifier in Glasgow."
Holland have swept all before them in this World Cup qualifying section but their struggle in Oslo is a warning to Scotland before the match in the Norwegian capital.
Only a Mark van Bommel strike deep into the second half separated the sides to maintain the Dutch troops' 100 per cent record - and that came after the home side had spurned a few chances.
Van Persie said: "It's going to be tough for Scotland in Oslo, as we found. The home fans really get behind them. John Carew is the danger man and John Arne Riise is also good. But Carew is their main man."
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
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After hard work, we finally finished our photo gallery. With so many pictures (over 3000), it could be that some pictures are missing but you can find most of Robin's photo's, scans and TV screens in the database. We've tried to add the pictures as many as possible from new to old. But sometimes that wasn't easy, specially with the pictures from the Feyenoord period. Take a look what we've added and enjoy it!
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Arsenal completed their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Valencia on Saturday night.
Despite having beaten the fourth-place La Liga team, Atletico Madrid, last weekend, Arsène Wenger’s men were defeated by the side who finished sixth in Spain last term in a lively affair at The Mestalla.
Both sides had their chances in an even first half. But Valencia began to dominate after the visitors made changes at the break.
Lukasz Fabianski saved David Villa’s penalty midway through the half. But soon afterwards Michel fired home through a crowded area and, in the dying minutes, Villa squeezed in a shot from an acute angle.
It was the toughest examination of Arsenal’s pre-season fixture list and the first defeat. However the real tests start next weekend
Before this game, Wenger had said his side at Valencia would be the strongest indication of the one that would kick-off the Premier League campaign at Everton next Saturday.
If that holds true then Arsenal will be playing with the increasingly familiar wide 4-3-3 (though you could argue it is last term’s 4-1-4-1). This version had Robin van Persie flanked, literally, by Nicklas Bendtner on the right and Andrey Arshavin on the left. Cesc Fabregas, Abou Diaby and Alex Song made up the midfield three with the Cameroonian screening the centre backs.
The defence was more-or-less expected. With Thomas Vermaelen still suffering from a hamstring problem, the only real decision for Wenger was to select Johan Djourou over Mikael Silvestre in middle.
Taking the taller man may have been influenced by Valencia’s inclusion of Nikola Zigic, a 6ft 8ins Serbian international, up front.
The home side had all their stars on show this evening. They were celebrating their 90th birthday and before kick-off the likes of Villa, Joaquin, Ruben Baraja, Vincente, David Silva and David Albelda all trotted up onto a stage in the middle of the pitch to create a stellar squad.
It was a huge photo opportunity and the Spanish media lapped it up. But had the event occurred 10 minutes later then, quite literally, it would have rained all over their parade.
A huge cloud burst just after kick-off which sent fans in uncovered areas scurrying to the back of the stands for refuge. The lashing rain also affected the game early on. The play only settled as the weather did likewise.
Still, there were some chances in the opening stages. In the second minute, Pablo Hernández flashed a shot just wide from the corner of the area. Van Persie responded in kind shortly afterwards but overall it was a quiet opening quarter with Valencia taking the edge.
Éver Banega and Silva both tried their luck from range however it took until the 20th minute for a clear effort on goal.
Juan Manuel Mata fed Silva from a short-corner and ran into the area to collect the return pass. The former was one-on-one with Almunia but the keeper blocked with his leg.
Again, Arsenal responded to a chance with one of their own. This time Diaby, the most forward of the central midfielders, raced clear. However the Frenchman never quite had control of the ball as he faced Miguel Àngel Moyà and the keeper managed to intercept.
Arsenal were starting to gel. Fabregas fired wide and, on the half-hour, Bendtner’s raking ball found Van Persie in the left-hand channel. The Dutchman took the effort early and, though the shot had power, Moya blocked with ease.
Silva sent a chipped effort just wide almost immediately and, in the closing stages of the half, Clichy tucked a pass through to Van Persie. Again the Dutchman struck his shot early and again Moya blocked.
Wenger made eight changes at the break. Only Djourou, Fabregas and Song stayed on. Theo Walcott and Fabianski came on for their first appearances of pre-season, though, incredibly, a few hours earlier the former had been called-up for England’s friendly against Holland on August 12.
Within five minutes of the restart, Arsenal should have scored twice. First, Eduardo pulled away from his marker to meet a Fabregas corner. Unfortunately his header was straight at Moya.
Then Fabregas put Walcott into space on the edge of the area but the 20-year-old dragged his shot wide.
This time it was Valencia who would reply. In quick succession, Banega smashed a shot just wide, Joaquin forced a fine save from Fabianski and Villa sidefooted over the bar.
The last of those players was starting to have a busy half. But although Villa continually got in great positions, he always spurned the opportunity when it eventually came. He sent a couple of efforts high over the bar when well-placed and, on another occasion, was dispossessed by a superb challenge from Djourou.
Traore flashed an effort across goal but, by now, Arsenal were on the back foot and they were in serious danger of going behind at the second half reached midway. Then came the penalty.
Villa clipped a ball into Michel, who was tackled by Silvestre. There was definitely a connection but perhaps not too the extent the tumble suggested. Villa’s spot-kick was whipped-in quickly but Fabianski saved superbly to his right. A great stop.
Arsenal nearly conceded from the resulting corner. Joaquin’s kick was headed towards goal at the far post and Fabregas hastily nodded the ball off the line.
However, in the 73rd minute there would be no reprieve. Joaquin fired in a low free-kick from the right and Villa’s effort rebounded to Michel, who fired home through a forest of legs.
It knocked the stuffing out of Arsenal and, in the closing minutes, Villa completed the scoring by squeezing his shot through Fabianski's legs from a tight angle.
Arsenal: Almunia (Fabianski 46), Eboué, Gallas (Silvestre 46), Djourou, Clichy (Sagna 46), Diaby (Wilshere 46), Fabregas (Merida 72), Song (Gibbs 72), Bendtner (Walcott 46), Van Persie (Eduardo 46), Arshavin (Traore 46).
Subs not used: Ramsey
Valencia: Moya, Alexis, Marchena, Mathieu. Miguel, Dealbert, Pablo, Silva, Banega, Zigic (Michel 46), Mata (Villa 46).
Subs not used: Cesar, Bruno, Maduro, Albelda, Baraja, Vicente, Navarro, Joaquin, Miku.
Goals: Michel 75, Villa 90.
www.arsenal.com
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Dennis Bergkamp talks in an interview with Dutch website onsoranje.nl about his former teammate Robin van Persie.
"I had a nice time with Robin at Arsenal. I was at the end of my career, Robin at his beginning. I learned him many things about the club and the competition. He was a quick learner and he showed me his class on the field and outside football immediately. I saw very soon that going to Arsenal was the right choice for him. He is one of the stars of Arsenal and Holland now. His best years still has to come if you look at his age. That's a good perspective. I still follow Arsenal, but from a distance. I still have a lot of contact with people in England and I know what happens at the club. I've played there for a long time and had a good time so I don't want to throw that away."
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Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has lauded the gentlemanly nature of the club's former talismanic captain Patrick Vieira, famed for his imposing on-pitch demeanour and infamous on-field tussles with ex-Manchester United stalwart Roy Keane.
There have been suggestions in the press, first aired by Ian Wright on Radio 5 Live, that Vieira could return to Arsenal, and Van Persie, who was speaking at the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity launch (the club's charity for the season), commented on the inspiration he drew from the Frenchman.
"I played with him for one year and he was fantastic," Van Persie said. "He is a natural leader and he was really helpful to me.
"If we go back to my first start in the Premier League, I was very nervous before the game and he came up and asked me how I was.
"He told me to just play how I train and that he will always be there to help me.
"He’s always been a gentleman and a fantastic player," he concluded.
www.goal.com
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Arsenal will face Celtic in this season's Champions League Play-off Round.
The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday and saw the Gunners out of the hat second, meaning they will travel to Glasgow on Tuesday August 18 (19.45 KO) before hosting the Hoops on August 26 (19.45 KO).
Robin van Persie will face his former teammate and friend Glenn Loovens who is a Celtic defender.
www.arsenal.com
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England's defenders will be opposed by some familiar attackers when they play Holland in Amsterdam on Wednesday. Arsenal's Robin van Persie and the Liverpool pair of Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel are among the forwards in the 22-man squad announced by the Dutch coach, Bert van Marwijk, today.
The former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben is also included as is his former Real Madrid colleague Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who was a Tottenham transfer target before joining Milan.
Holland squad
Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Utrecht). Defenders: John Heitinga (Atletico Madrid), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Dirk Marcellis, Andre Ooijer (both PSV Eindhoven), Edson Braafheid (Bayern Munich), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord). Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Stijn Schaars, David Mendes da Silva (both AZ Alkmaar), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid). Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Milan), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid) .
www.guardian.co.uk
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It's Robin's 26th birthday today! We wish him and his family a lovely day.
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Andrey Arshavin struck twice in the final four minutes as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 to end Day One on top of the Emirates Cup standings.
To be honest, little had happened in this game before Jack Wilshere’s introduction at half time. The teenage midfielder tantalised the Spanish defence for 45 minutes however it would be a Russian who won the game for the home side.
Arshavin seemed to have done that in the 86th minute when he volleyed in from a Cesc Fabregas cross however German Pacheco levelled seconds later.
A draw seemed certain but, then again, nothing is certain with Arshavin on the pitch. In the dying seconds, he raced onto an errant backheader, flicked the ball past the keeper and squeezed the ball home from an almost impossible angle.
It was four minutes of madness after a pretty mundane 86. But it was good enough to win the game and puts Arsenal in pole position to regain their home trophy.
Wenger always intended to spread his squad across this two-game weekend but, nonetheless, his side this afternoon was reasonably strong.
The most significant news was the return of Tomas Rosicky after 19 months away. Thomas Vermaelen had been forced off at the end of the friendly at Hannover on Wednesday and, as a result, did not appear today. The formation was the now established wide 4-3-3 but this time Robin van Persie was flanked on the left by Nicklas Bendtner and on the right by Emmanuel Eboue.
Atletico started with Diego Forlan up front and Jose Antonio Reyes on the right. The former Manchester United forward was never going to be that popular among the home crowd but the announcement of the latter was cheered by the Emirates faithful. Reyes had a record of 23 goals in 110 appearances during his three years at Highbury.
It was the Spaniard who provided the first telling moment of the game. In the sixth minute, Reyes took the corner from the right, Raul Garcia nodded on at the near post and Sergio Aguero sent his header into the sidenetting at the far. A player of his stature should have done better.
Rosicky nearly had a made an immediate impact on his return but, despite his finger-wagging protestations to the assistant referee, he was correctly called offside before slamming the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.
It was a bright beginning but it could not be maintained. Opportunities were scarce in a mundane first 45 minutes.
Forlan and Florent Sinama-Pongolle both had half-chances with headers. However, generally, Arsenal were the slicker side.
That said, the most they could muster was a curling cross from Armand Traore than caused Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo to bat the ball away while Van Persie had a free-kick deflected over.
Three minutes from the break, the Dutchman fed Eboue on the left. The Ivorian cut in and fired straight at Asenjo, who stood firm.
Wenger replaced Rosicky, Eboue and Traore with Wilshere, Fran Merida and Gael Clichy at the start of the second half.
The latter pair were playing their first pre-season games of 2009/10. While the first of the trio, Wilshere, showed class from the off as Arsenal took control.
Three minutes in he sent Sagna clear on the right and the full back’s low cross was backflicked towards goal by Van Persie only for John Heitinga to knock the ball off the line.
Almost immediately, Bendtner controlled Wilshere’s lofted cross at the far post and blazed over when, at least, he should have employed the keeper.
Just past the hour, substitute Maxi Rodriguez sent in a shot from distance and Mannone could only half-punch the ball behind.
However within seconds Clichy sent over a tantalising cross from the left and Wilshere fooled his marker on the byline before laying the ball back to Ramsey. The Welshman had time and space, on reflection perhaps too much. His powerful shot was a parried by Asenjo.
It was Ramsey’s last contribution. He joined Bendtner and Van Persie as they were replaced by Eduardo, Arshavin and Fabregas.
It was perhaps the boost Arsenal needed. Within seconds Wilshere clipped another clever ball to the far post and Merida slid in seconds too late.
Both sides went for the win towards the end. Rodriguez fired a shot across the face of goal then Mannone parried a swerving drive from Borja Baston on to the bar.
Four minutes from time, Arshavin had seemingly won it won he volleyed in a Fabregas cross but Pacecho’s breakaway strike proved otherwise.
So Arshavin did what Arshavin does – he won it again. The 27-year-old raced on to a misplaced backheader, beat the keeper and turned to ball home.
An incredible finish. Roll on Sunday.
Arsenal: Mannone, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Traore (Clichy 46), Eboué (Merida 46), Denilson, Ramsey (Fabregas 66), Rosicky (Wilshere 46), Van Persie (Arshavin 66), Bendtner (Eduardo 66).
Subs not used: Song, Silvestre, Watt, Szczesny.
Goals: Arshavin 86, 90.
Atletico Madrid: Asenjo, Heitinga, Garcia (Jurado 69), Juanito, Dominguez (Cabrera 55), Aguero (Pacheco 53), Assuncao, Ujfalusi, Reyes (Santana 69), Sinama-Pongolle (Maxi 40), Forlan (Baston 72).
Subs not used: Valera, Lopez, Simao, Parea, De Gea.
Booked: Juanito, Ujfalusi.
Goals: Pacheco 88.
Att: 54.224
www.arsenal.com
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