Van Persie taken by Arsenal flow

Robin van Persie is used to labels. As a teenager, no higher mortal than Johan Cruyff hailed him as the Netherlands' best youngster for a generation. On his move to Arsenal FC 18 months ago, he immediately became the 'new Dennis Bergkamp'. Now 22, Van Persie is determined to show he is very much his own man.

No plans
At 13, Van Persie moved up to Feyenoord from feeder club SC Excelsior. He never planned for a professional career, but as he got older, he started to believe he might make it. When he did make his debut, in January 2002, it was not in his preferred position but on the left wing, where he stayed for the next 18 months.

Arsenal move
Arsenal then came calling, with Van Persie rejecting overtures from Sevilla FC and PSV Eindhoven in order to move to London. "I wanted to play with big players and I thought that if I came here and was training with them I could learn from them, become a better player and get in the first team," he told Champions magazine.

'A second striker'
So with his days as a left-winger over, what is he? A striker or a playmaker? "Something in between," he said. "A second striker: sometimes I just want to find the shortest way to the goal and sometimes I'll pass. Coming to Arsenal was a great move, especially because the boss sees me as a second striker too."

Bergkamp comparisons
Before breaking his toe at the turn of the year, the Arsenal No11 had secured a place in the starting line-up. Comparisons with Bergkamp are obvious. Van Persie has more speed, though, not just because of the difference in age, and he is probably more likely to score a goal than make one, but how does he compare his own talents to those of his legendary team-mate?

'A great example'
"Dennis has his own style and I have mine," he said. "You can't compare us. Playing with him is something amazing and I'm really glad that by the end of this season I'll have played with him for two years. I'm proud of that. He's a good man but first he's a fantastic player and a great example for me."

Team focus
Van Persie's left foot is, he says, "quite a weapon", but he is modest when talking of his strengths. He has improved the runs he makes into the box, something that pleases him, along with the fact he has become more of a team player. He knows he has work to do on his heading and with his right foot, and he wants to improve the physical side of his game.

Impressive style
Van Persie also admits to being dazzled by the ability of his Arsenal side in full flow. "When we're at our maximum and playing our quick passing game, it's outstanding," he said. "It's one-touch football and it destroys the opposition.

One-touch master
"It's nicer than dribbling past four people," he added. "When I was younger I was more into dribbling; now I'm getting used to the one touch and I prefer it. That's something that's happened here at Arsenal. It's a team thing."

This is an edited version of an article that appears in issue 16 of Champions, the official magazine of the UEFA Champions League. Click here to subscribe.