Van Persie hails Ade partnership

Dutchman hoping to stay injury-free

Last updated: 4th August 2008

Robin van Persie Arsenal

Van Persie: Staying positive

FANTASY FOOTBALL
Play Sky Sports' Fantasy Football game and you could win prizes worth up to £20,000. Click here for more details.

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

Robin van Persie is confident of forging a lethal strike partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Dutchman was plagued by injuries last season and rarely linked up with Adebayor in attack.

But the pair started together in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Real Madrid and Van Persie feels they can develop a good understanding.

"We showed that Ade and I have a few nice combinations together," said Van Persie.

"That is really important for two strikers, you always have to work together, you always have to look for each other. Hopefully this is a good start."

Van Persie is hoping to stay injury-free from now on and he believes a positive approach will help him enjoy a successful season.

"I learned a lot in the last two years because I have been injured so much," he explained.

"I learned what my body can take and what it can't, so it was an interesting period for me.

"I hope next season will not be so unlucky with injuries.

"I just do not want to think about that negative stuff. If you think positive, you get positive."

Title aim

Midfielders Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto have all left Emirates Stadium this summer but Van Persie has played down the significance of the departures.

He accepts that it is important for Arsenal to pick up some silverware this season and insists the Premier League title is a realistic target.

"Players leaving is part of football, those things happen," he said.

"Flamini was a free agent, so he could make this decision. Alex went, but this is football and has been happening for many years.

"Of course, I wanted everyone to stay, but this is not how life is.

"Arsenal have to win something every year, that is our aim. If it is not happening, then everyone is really disappointed.

"I think any of the top four can win the title.

"I am not going to say we are going to win it because you never know - they do not know, we do not know either.

"But I want to win as much as possible. After all, this is Arsenal."