Van Persie: Manchester United are bigger threat to Arsenal than Chelsea or Liverpool
It’s a Grand Slam Sunday this weekend and everyone is getting quite carried away with it. Articles are being splashed all across the media circus and everyone has some thing or the other to remark on the way the two matches will turn out. And so has the Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.
The 24—year old Dutch international, hailed in the summer as the next Henry by his club manager Arsene Wenger, is one player who says that although the Double Bill thriller on Sunday would be important in the long run as far as this season’s Premiership title race is concerned, their Sunday’s opponents Chelsea wouldn’t be the one they would have to fear as the season progresses.
Van Persie says that Arsenal’s biggest threat to this season’s Premiership title is the reigning English champions Manchester United who play Liverpool at Anfield. The Dutchman believes that Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are strong overall and in very department and with the star players and consistency that they sustain, Manchester United would be the one to compete with them till the end of the season.
This is what Robin van Persie states about the situation:
I just think our biggest rivals at the end of the season are United, because of the quality. That is why I think it will be a battle between Arsenal and them. [Manchester] United have lots of quality players up there who can win games for the team. Even when they are playing poorly, they have Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and lots of good strikers who can win games.
Van Persie came back to football action only this midweek when he starred in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Champions League after being forced out to the sidelines and is expected to start and be one of the main players for Arsenal as they look to extend their lead over Chelsea on Sunday. Should the Gunners beat Chelsea (and Liverpool beat United), then they will go 4 points clear at the top and will be gain slightly more breathing space. For van Persie, winning the match against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium is certainly the first priority but the Dutch player makes it clear that at the end of the season, he fears Man United and not their London rivals.
Van Persie is eligible to think what he likes but anyone with sense would tell you that Chelsea will compete for the Premiership title as the last weeks of the season rush towards us (now that of course months away). Maybe van Persie’s statement that Chelsea are not strong enough to sustain their run in the championship is just one method to gain a psychological edge and nothing more.
Editor’s Note: How come no one talks about Liverpool as legitimate title contenders? I mean, I know Carrick’s said a few words but he’s probably taking the piss and laughing it off right now…
Topics: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United
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It’s very odd that no one mentions Liverpool considering the depth of the squad, the quality of the players and the fact that over the last two or three seasons, if the season started in January, Livepool would have won it as they amassed so many points after the turn of the year. Hey, carry on writing them off, it plays into their hands.
December 14th, 2007 @ 13:27We will see in May 2008 Persie, Liverpool going to rock.
December 14th, 2007 @ 13:31it is not about depth in squad…arsenal have no depth but are still doing better than liverpool. with all those players, they still losing more matches and having boring draws. u are not the biggest threat liverpool, chelski is way above you guys even.
December 14th, 2007 @ 13:38I hope it stays that way. The less people talk about us as title contenders the less pressure we have put upon us. Were in the best position we have ever been in at this stage of the season. Were coming off a run of 7 games in which we have scored 26 and conceded only 4, If we win our game in hand and beat United we will only be 1 point from behind the leaders and all our players are nearly fit.
If I’m being honest, United are still the ones to beat this season along with Arsenal but I’m confident we will still be there at the end of the season pushing those two. Chelsea should never be discounted either and this is gonna be a great battle for the title.
One thing that makes us a bit more confident than usual… Fernando Torres.
December 14th, 2007 @ 14:01The one reason that liverpool are no threat is benitez (the fat spanish waiter)
December 14th, 2007 @ 14:14Liverpool would be considered contenders if they didn’t blow games against weaker opponents. I still think they will contend but ManU and Arsenal will have to slip to make room for them. They will not be able to completely outperform either because Rafa has not instilled the mentality of winner in his club.
December 15th, 2007 @ 07:09Arsenal will need to make a purchase in January and need to catch their breath a bit but I still see them coming out on top this year.
ManU are a bunch of wankers.
Damn I was doing good there for a minute and then slipped up on the analysis and called ManU a bunch of wankers.
Well, what can you do? ManU are a bunch of wankers.
When Kolo Toure goes to the African nations cup Arsenal need a better replacement than Senderos. Wenger will need to sign a quality centre back in the january transfer window or we could find ourselves letting a few points slip whic could be disasterous come the end of the season. As for what Van Persie said about Man Utd being the most potent threat, well he’s spot on.
December 15th, 2007 @ 14:24A bunch of wankers??? ur thoughts r that of a wanker so i figure u’re 1.Don’t hate z team hate z game-”Boom” u’re statements r so lame. MAN U IS THE BEST!!!!!
December 17th, 2007 @ 19:39Gunners are best! They hav proved it even in absence of Henry. I m sure no1 wil bother them till the end, not even ManU!
December 19th, 2007 @ 22:28ARSENAL R DA BEST AND THE ONLY THREAT R MAN U BUT THER SHIT SO WE DONT EVEN NEED 2 WORRY BELT THEM CUM ON U GUNNERS
December 19th, 2007 @ 23:17jajja poor liverpool fans they think that they can win the premier. A mediocre team like liv pool cant win the best league in the world. I, as a chelsea fan have to acept that chelsea is not at the level of arsenal (maybe a little bit more tight with united) they are playing very good as a team. But i have faith that chelsea with the football of this night at the bridge against sucker pool could be in the battle of the title. ( If lampard and Didi keep improving)
December 19th, 2007 @ 23:53fate sorry npt faith lol
December 19th, 2007 @ 23:54[Joe, Liverpool]
You said: “The less people talk about us as title contenders the less pressure we have put upon us”
Sorry to burst your bubble mate, but, the liverpool fans fucks up that approach all by themselves every year.
Every start of the season, they all shout:
‘Hallelujah! this season is it!’, and,
‘We have the best players in the world! Even our academy players are better than Barcelona’s first team!’
Every mid-season, you hear:
‘but I’m confident we will still be there at the end of the season pushing those two…’
Every end-of-season:
‘You guys were lucky’
‘we are still the greatest English team of all times…5 times…next season…’
Every year the same bullshit, putting pressure all on yourselves.
December 20th, 2007 @ 09:46i love Arsenal and Gods willing this season is ours.
January 31st, 2008 @ 09:37gunners for life!!wenger is da best.I wonder when will v.persie return?
January 31st, 2008 @ 16:04