Van Persie wary of Twente

Dutchman desperate to qualify for group stages

Last updated: 11th August 2008

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Robin Van Persie has insisted that Arsenal belong in the UEFA Champions League, although he will not be underestimating FC Twente in their two-legged qualifier.

The Gunners take on Steve McClaren's side in Holland on Wednesday before playing them at Emirates Stadium later in the month.

Arsenal are the firm favourites to progress to the group stages but Twente were the surprise package of Dutch football last season as they finished fourth in the Eredivise and then beat Ajax in a Champions League play-off.

Van Persie is hoping that Arsenal can avoid a shock to ensure they will be playing in Europe's leading club competition this season.

"Arsenal always wants to play Champions League and I think Arsenal needs to play Champions League," said van Persie, signed from Feyenoord in 2004.

"If you have players like this, good players, big stadium, then I think you need to play in the highest league in Europe.

"But this is football - if you don't win two games then you don't qualify and we play Uefa Cup."

Impressed

Van Persie still follows the domestic game in his homeland and he admits he has been impressed by Twente.

"I know them quite well as I have Dutch satellite," he said.

"It was quite, though, a big shock because in Holland everyone expected Ajax to win and in the end Twente played better and these things happen in football.

"They had a great year last year, but they lost two of their best playmakers - Karim El Ahmadi and Orlando Engelaar.

"However, they got Theo Janssen from Vitesse, so they are still in good shape with a good team."

McClaren was widely criticised after failing to lead England to Euro 2008 but Van Persie claims he has been well received in Holland.

"They are really happy with him and almost proud to have him, because it was quite a strange move to come from England manager to Twente," he explained.

"But they are all saying they really like his style of coaching."