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| The Dutch National Team trained Saturday morning in Seefeld (Austria). Robin van Persie and Ryan Babel skipped the end of the training session. Van Persie followed the end of the training with an ice pack on his right ankle. It was a precaution. Before the training session, the staff already decided that Robin skipped the end because there was a second training in the evening. The last two times that Holland had a morning and evening training, Robin skipped the evening session. Robin normally trained at Saturday evening and also attend the training session this morning.
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1. Maarten Stekelenburg
2. Gregory van der Wiel
3. John Heitinga
4. Joris Mathijsen
5. Giovanni van Bronckhorst
6. Mark van Bommel
7. Dirk Kuijt
8. Nigel de Jong
9. Robin van Persie
10. Wesley Sneijder
11. Arjen Robben
12. Khalid Boulahrouz
13. André Ooijer
14. Demy de Zeeuw
15. Edson Braafheid
16. Michel Vorm
17. Eljero Elia
18. Stijn Schaars
19. Ryan Babel
20. Ibrahim Afellay
21. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
22. Sander Boschker
23. Rafael van der Vaart
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Goal: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (FC Twente) en Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)
Defense: John Heitinga (Everton), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), Joris Mathijsen (HSV), André Ooijer (PSV), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart) en Edson Braafheid (Bayern München)
Midfield: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale), Mark van Bommel (Bayern München), Stijn Schaars (AZ) en Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax)
Attack: Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuijt (Liverpool), Arjen Robben (Bayern München), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan) en Eljero Elia (HSV)
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Robin van Persie proved his worth as central striker with two fine volleys to lift the Netherlands to a 2-1 win over Mexico in a World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday.
The Dutch started with only five first-team regulars after coach Bert van Marwijk said the match would be the last test before he reduces his 27-man squad to 23 on Thursday.
The Dutch were without Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel and Wesley Sneijder, who all featured in Saturday's Champions League final.
Van Persie led the line alongside Dirk Kuyt and Ibrahim Afellay with Rafael van der Vaart as playmaker.
The Dutch made a bright start and created chances before Van Persie opened the scoring from Van der Vaart's crossfield pass and the Arsenal forward added a second three minutes before the interval.
But Mexico, also World Cup-bound, dominated the second half and tested the nervous Dutch defence more than once before Javier Hernandez headed home from close range.
"We showed some fine combination football in the first half, though followed by a lesser second but for a first friendly match we can be satisfied," Van Persie told SBS6-TV.
Van Marwijk said he understood why the performance had been a bit flat.
"Van Persie was excellent tonight with two beautiful goals, but we missed the power in the second half and allowed Mexico to play much better," he said.
"But that all has to do with the intensive training sessions last days."
The Dutch host Ghana on June 1 in Rotterdam and Hungary four days later in Amsterdam before travelling to South Africa where they face Denmark in their World Cup opener on June 14. Japan and Cameroon are their other group opponents.
Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Boulahrouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Braafheid (Anita 46), Kuijt, De Zeeuw, Schaars (Engelaar 46), Van der Vaart (Elia 71), Afellay, Van Persie (Huntelaar 46)
Mexico: Ochoa, Aguilar (Vela 55), Magallón, Moreno, Torres, Israel Castro, Guardado (Juárez 46), Torrado, Blanco (Barrera 46), Hernández, Medina (Giovani 55)
Goals: Van Persie 1-0 '17, 2-0 '41, Hernández 2-1 '74
Booked: Moreno
www.reuters.com
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Robin van Persie skipped the training session on Monday evening. It was the second training session of the day. Holland manager Bert van Marwijk gave the Arsenal striker some rest.
"Robin has been injured for a long time", said Van Marwijk. "We don't want to put too much pressure on him. There's nothing to worry about. Robin is doing very well."
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The Netherlands should build their attack around striker Robin van Persie supported by Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart, Van Persie said on Thursday.
The four players have agreed that this formation would give the Dutch the best chance of success at next month's World Cup.
"I heard their opinions and it pleases me that we appreciate each other's qualities," Van Persie told Reuters.
"It is a party to play with them. They all are good players who are creative and think offensive."
That formation would leave Dirk Kuyt out of the side. Kuyt replaced Van Persie in the first World Cup qualifier against Macedonia and started the other seven matches, scoring three goals.
"Nothing negative about Kuyt, who is a good player and deserved his credit but this is my opinion," Van Persie added. "But finally it will be the decision of the coach."
Van Persie said he preferred to play as a central striker with Sneijder as playmaker, Robben on the right and Van der Vaart the left.
"If we can work on giving everything for each other the whole tournament I believe we will be unstoppable," the 26-year-old Van Persie said.
"With these four players in one team we really will be unique and will have an excellent chance of success."
Van Persie played six qualifying matches and scored one goal before he sustained an ankle injury in November in a friendly against Italy.
He underwent surgery and was sidelined for five months before returning to the Arsenal team in April.
Despite playing only three Premier League matches, Van Persie said he felt ready for his third major tournament.
"I am not a player who needs much rhythm to be back" he said. "The most important thing is to be physically fit and with a clear mind.
"I compare it with a singer who didn't sing for years. He just has to practise a bit as he will not forget how to sing and I think that is the same with technical players like me."
The Dutch start their World Cup campaign on June 14 against Denmark and also face Japan and Cameroon in the group stage.
www.reuters.com
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Robin Van Persie hopes Sol Campbell will sign a new contract with Arsenal because the defender is exactly the character needed in the Gunners' dressing room.
The defender made a shock return to Emirates Stadium in January but his short-term contract expires this summer.
Talks are ongoing between Campbell and Arsène Wenger and following Sunday's win over Fulham striker Van Persie was asked if he wanted Campbell to be an Arsenal player next season.
"I hope so," he responded. "I think his character is great, he is a winner, he is honest - the Dutch way almost. In Holland, we are used to people who are direct, who say what they think and he is like that, very much.
"He is one of those characters you need in a squad - when someone is easing off he just tells you, 'listen, this is not the way to do it. Sharpen up because otherwise this isn't going to work.'
"We need that and that is why I am very pleased that he is here. When you look at when he came and the way he ended the last couple of months - fantastic.
"He made a sprint against Spurs, 60 metres, sprinting against a younger guy. There you go; that was special."
Van Persie donated £1,800 to Great Ormond Street Hospital at the Arsenal Charity Ball last week in order to win an auction for one of Tony Adams' England shirts.
The top was signed by the former Gunner and though Van Persie never played alongside Adams, he believes the new manager of Azerbaijan side Gabala FC would have been just as good a team-mate as Campbell has been.
"I never played with him but I heard lots of stories about him," said Van Persie.
"I respect him as a person because you hear stories from players and I have a friend in Holland who knows him personally.
"The stories he tells me are great. He is a leader by example but I just work with Sol, so I can't really compare them but the word day-to-day is they are both great."
www.arsenal.com
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Robin Van Persie has only watched Marouane Chamakh on television - but he likes what he has seen.
The Moroccan striker has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal when his contract with Bordeaux expires this summer and Arsène Wenger admitted last week that he was "confident" a deal will be done.
Chamakh could link up with Van Persie at Emirates Stadium and the Dutch forward is excited at the prospect.
"[I know him] just from TV," said Van Persie.
"He looks good, he looks quite strong in the air, he scores lots of goals with his head and he looks quite confident on the ball.
"Hopefully it [the deal] goes through. I think it is good for all of us and that is why I am happy to see him coming here."
www.arsenal.com
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Having three teams in next season's Champions League is good for London, according to Robin Van Persie.
Tottenham won the race to finish fourth and will join Arsenal and Chelsea in the 2010/11 Champions League if they win their qualifier.
That means three London clubs will compete in the competition for the first time. Van Persie believes that is a good thing for the English capital and hopes Arsenal can be the first club from the city to win Europe's premier footballing prize.
"It is good for London but hopefully we will win it," he said.
"It is about time for a London club to win the Champions League because that has never happened. It has been very close but it has never happened.
The striker added that it was crucial for the Gunners to avoid having to play a Champions League qualifier.
"It is very important because we would have two games extra," he said.
"I think the first qualifying game is after the first Premier League game. That is a period where we want to focus on the League and get used to the League again and you don't really want to play those two games."
www.vi.nl
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Arsenal crushed a weakened Fulham side to ensure they ended the season in third place in the Premier League.
The Gunners needed only a point to stay above Tottenham and they easily beat Fulham, who rested players ahead of Wednesday's Europa League final.
Andrey Arshavin punished an error by Mark Schwarzer to open the scoring and Robin van Persie slotted in the second.
Chris Baird turned Theo Walcott's cross into his own net and Carlos Vela sealed the win with a cheeky dinked chip.
It could have been more for Arsenal, who barely needed to hit top gear to secure the result that clinches automatic entry into the Champions League next season.
Not that any blame could be laid at Fulham's door after a remarkable season for the Cottagers in which they could still do what Arsenal failed to do and win silverware.
Roy Hodgson's side face Atletico Madrid in midweek and it was inevitable key players would be rested ahead of the match in Hamburg.
The Fulham boss made eight changes in total, which indicated he was willing to sacrifice the chance to potentially finish ninth in the table, seemingly settling for 12th place - and close to £3m less in prize money.
However, should Fulham triumph on Wednesday surely none of that will matter.
Arsenal themselves might cast an envious glance Fulham's way after their season fell apart in recent weeks as they exited the Champions League and blew their title chances, making it five seasons without a trophy.
The Gunners' campaign would have ended on a very sour note had they relinquished third place to bitter-rivals Tottenham, and from the start they appeared determined not to let that happen.
Van Persie quickly brought out the best in Schwarzer, who produced a stunning save to tip away a shot headed for the top corner and Samir Nasri sent a low shot narrowly wide of the post.
After Sol Campbell almost got on the end of a Van Persie free-kick and Arshavin tested Schwarzer, it seemed a matter of time before the hosts got the opener.
And it came when Schwarzer miscontrolled a backpass, allowing Arshavin to nick the ball, round the Australian and slot in from a tight angle.
It was soon 2-0 when Walcott squared for Van Persie, who stroked in after Schwarzer had deflected his first shot on to the bar but was unlucky to see it bounce back to the striker.
Aside from the goal, Van Persie's influence was obvious - his creativity, vision and touch were top class - and Arsenal may well reflect on how the season may have turned out had the Dutchman not been injured for most of it.
Arsenal got their third when Walcott sent in a low cross from the right, Emmanuel Eboue flicked it on and Baird could only turn the ball into his own net.
Walcott should have added another when clean though on goal, but he dragged his shot wide - not the impression he would want to make given that England boss Fabio Capello names his 30-man provisional World Cup squad this week.
At the end of the half, Fulham had two chances from rare attacks but Stefano Okaka fell backwards when he tried to get a shot away and Erik Nevland headed over the bar.
After the interval the pace dropped, but Arsenal still carved out chances as Fulham sat back.
Van Persie was denied by a stunning reaction save from Schwarzer at close range and the striker hit the foot of post from the rebound.
Fulham were let off again when Van Persie rifled over after cutting in from the right.
But Arsene Wenger's men were not to be denied a fourth goal and it came when substitute Vela latched on to a pass by Nasri and finished with a classy effort.
Arsenal
* 21 Fabianski yellow card
* 03 Sagna
* 18 Silvestre (Djourou 62)
* 22 Clichy
* 27 Eboue yellow card
* 31 Campbell
* 02 Diaby
* 08 Nasri
* 14 Walcott (Lansbury 77)
* 23 Arshavin (Vela 77)
* 11 Van Persie
Substitutes
* 24 Mannone,
* 20 Djourou,
* 28 Gibbs,
* 37 Eastmond,
* 32 Merida,
* 45 Lansbury,
* 12 Vela
Fulham
* 01 Schwarzer
* 04 Pantsil (Kelly 58 yellow card)
* 06 Baird
* 07 Shorey
* 26 Smalling
* 17 Riise (Elm 46)
* 23 Dempsey yellow card (Stoor 67)
* 27 Greening
* 34 Dikgacoi
* 09 Okaka Chuka
* 10 Nevland
Substitutes
* 19 Zuberbuhler,
* 02 Kelly,
* 22 Stoor,
* 11 Gera,
* 13 Murphy,
* 29 Davies,
* 35 Elm
Goals: Arshavin 1-0 '21, Van Persie 2-0 '26, Baird 3-0 (og) '37, Vela 4-0 '84
Ref: Jones
Att: 60,039
www.bbc.co.uk
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Chris Samba scored the winner as Blackburn came from behind to defeat Arsenal, who must wait to secure third place in the Premier League.
Robin van Persie put Arsenal ahead with a header from six yards but Blackburn equalised when David Dunn tapped home after a corner was not cleared.
Lukasz Fabianski saved from Morten Gamst Pedersen and Junior Hoilett.
But Rovers bombarded the Arsenal keeper with high balls, and it was from a corner that Samba headed the winner.
The home team are assured of a mid-table finish after moving from 13th to 10th in the table.
But Arsenal's aim of finishing third - and therefore avoiding having to qualify for the group stage of next season's Champions League - could go down to the final day.
The Gunners have one game left to play, but Manchester City and Tottenham, who play each other on Wednesday, lead the chasing pack and could still potentially catch Arsenal.
It was a frustrating afternoon for visiting boss Arsene Wenger, who appeared to be unhappy with what he saw as Rovers' robust approach to the contest.
On the field, Fabianski repeatedly complained to referee Martin Atkinson, although replays suggested that on several occasions at least, Rovers were guilty of nothing more than standing their ground.
Arsenal had settled quickly and Theo Walcott's blistering pace created a fourth-minute opening that Carlos Vela, making his first Premier League start since the closing stages of last season, should have converted but missed from six yards.
Rovers were the next to threaten, with Fabianski diving sharply to his right to save a free-kick from Pedersen, but Arsenal clearly possessed the greater cutting edge in the early stages and took the lead after 13 minutes.
Bacary Sagna flicked on a corner at the near post and Van Persie headed home unmarked to score his 10th goal in nine games against Rovers.
Paul Robinson parried a free-kick from Van Persie, while Pedersen again forced Fabianski into action with a dead-ball strike that swerved viciously.
Rovers took every opportunity to test the handling of Fabianski, who landed heavily on his right knee as he jumped above Sol Campbell to collect a loose ball.
The Arsenal keeper was able to continue but he was picking the ball out of his net shortly before the break after his team failed to deal with a corner.
The ball eventually fell to Keith Andrews, who drilled a low cross back across goal that several Arsenal players failed to clear, gifting Dunn a simple tap-in.
It had been an entertaining opening half in the spring sunshine at Ewood Park - and the openings continued after the break.
Andrews played an excellent through ball to Pedersen, whose shot was parried by Fabianski. Pedersen chased the rebound and went down under a challenge from Campbell but Atkinson was not interested in his penalty appeals.
Dunn played Hoilett through, with the substitute forcing Fabianski to tip his strike over the crossbar, before Arsenal threatened to regain the lead.
Van Persie embarrassed Michael Salgado with a sharp turn but the Dutch striker lost his footing as his opponent tried to rescue the situation. Once again, Atkinson waved away the penalty appeal.
Mikael Silvestre almost diverted a flick-on into this own net as he tried to clear the danger, but Rovers scored the winner after the visiting team failed to deal with the physical presence of Samba.
The Rovers skipper stood close to the Arsenal goal-line as a corner was delivered and finished the simplest of headers after both Fabianski and Campbell failed to clear the danger.
Arsenal substitute Andrey Arshavin forced a decent save from Robinson but Rovers held out to ensure that they avoided defeat against the Gunners, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool at home this season.
Blackburn
01 Robinson
04 Samba
05 Givet
06 Nelsen
21 Olsson
27 Salgado
08 Dunn (Jones 85)
11 Grella yellow card (Hoilett 57)
12 Pedersen yellow card
17 Andrews
09 Roberts
Substitutes
32 Brown,
02 Jacobsen,
28 Jones,
07 Emerton,
20 Basturk,
23 Hoilett,
26 Di Santo
Arsenal
21 Fabianski
03 Sagna
18 Silvestre yellow card
27 Eboue (Eduardo 77)
30 Traore
31 Campbell yellow card
02 Diaby
08 Nasri
14 Walcott
11 Van Persie
12 Vela (Arshavin 67)
Substitutes
24 Mannone,
20 Djourou,
28 Gibbs,
37 Eastmond,
23 Arshavin,
43 Henderson,
09 Eduardo
Goals: Van Persie 0-1 '13, Dunn 1-1 '44, Samba 2-1 '68.
Att: 26,138
www.bbc.co.uk
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Robin van Persie was classed an enigma when he arrived at Arsenal six years ago from Feyenoord.
He was hugely talented, but was perceived to have attitude problems after a series of run-ins with his coaches.
Ronald de Boer, the former Holland international, has watched the progress of his compatriot with interest since those days as a temperamental teenager.
He had his doubts that van Persie could meet expectations and become a great player.
Now De Boer has no such reservations and draws comparisons between Van Persie and a legend of the Oranje.
“For me, he has the quality to be as good as Marco van Basten [the former AC Milan striker],” said De Boer, who played with such distintion at Ajax and Barcelona.
“His left foot is like gold. Van Basten was one of the best and had to stop early, but could have been more legendary.
“If Van Persie can stay fit and continue to perform at the highest level, he can achieve that.
“In Holland, we always had high expectations about him when he was younger, but he never fulfilled his potential until probably this season.
“Before, there was a doubt about whether he could keep his head straight and focused. Now he doesn’t lose his head, he is very professional and calm. He has matured and it has made him a better player.”
Van Persie has flourished since their departures of Thierry Henry and Emmanuel Adebayor from north London.
He has thriven on the responsibility of being the focus of the attack and, now 26, is also entrusted with the captaincy in the absence of the injured Cesc Fabregas.
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has admitted their challenge for the Premier League and Champions League would have been stronger had van Persie not missed almost six months of the season with an ankle injury.
De Boer concurs and says Holland can reap the benefits of his enforced rest at this summer’s World Cup finals.
“He was fantastic before the injury,” he added. “When Adebayor left, Van Persie took over the attack, created and scored goals, and became an important player for Arsenal.
“They looked a very strong side when he was there and any team would miss him. In a selfish way his absence could be a good thing for Holland. He will now be fresher for the World Cup and hungry to do well because he has missed so much for Arsenal.
“This will be the perfect stage for him to show what a top player he has now become.”
Arsenal will hope Van Persie can do that in the final two league games to help the club finish their season on a high, starting with the trip to Blackburn today.
But, as Manchester United and Chelsea will testify, Ewood Park has this season become a difficult place for any visiting side.
A top-10 finish is still possible for Rovers and Sam Allardyce, the Blackburn manager, hopes last week’s golfing break in Scotland will provide an end-of-season zest for his side.
“Earlier this year we went to Dubai and that also worked as we had another surge of results,” he told reporters.
www.thenational.ae
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Arsenal are bound to have concerns about Robin van Persie's fitness during the World Cup after their star striker became embroiled in a dispute with Holland over which physio will attend to him.
Van Persie, who has just returned from almost five months out after rupturing his ankle ligaments while on national duty, wants to take his own physio, Leo Echteld, who supervised his rehabilitation, with him to South Africa.
But Holland are not planning to include Echteld, who is also used by Dirk Kuyt, Aarjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, in their medical team.
Van Persie said: 'More than 10 players in the World Cup squad use him and want him there but the federation wants to follow a different path.'
www.dailymail.co.uk
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