Van Persie could land lone role

Van Marwijk hints Gunners ace could lead the line

Last updated: 7th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Van Persie could land lone role

Van Persie: In fine form

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Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has hinted that Robin van Persie could be deployed as a central striker in friendlies against Italy and Paraguay later this month.

Van Persie has played centrally at the tip of the front three for Arsenal this season but performed mainly as an attacking midfielder on the right flank for the Dutch during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Van Marwijk is pleased with the 26-year-old striker's form and would like to see him lead the line, although he does not believe he is your old fashioned style forward.

"We have discussed it extensively among the technical staff but it also is important that the players around him function well," said van Marwijk.

Opinion

"In my opinion he is not an old fashioned centre forward."

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has made it in van Marwijk's 23-man squad for the friendlies but the coach remains unhappy with the AC Milan striker's playing time.

"I sometimes make exception as you see right now, but towards the World Cup finals the tension will increase," van Marwijk said.

Recall

"I always hope that my players are fit, in form and play at the highest possible level, but if you hardly play for six months the chance that you will be in the World Cup squad will be very small."

Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel has also been recalled after missing the last four matches through injury.

Ibrahim Afellay, Nigel de Jong, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Gregory van der Wiel also return after sitting out last month's goalless draw against Australia in Sydney.

Holland take on world champions Italy in Pescara on 14th November before hosting Paraguay in Heerenveen four days later.

Holland's 23-man squad:

Maarten Stekelenburg, Michel Vorm, Piet Velthuizen, Khalid Boulahrouz, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Gregory van der Wiel, Ibrahim Afellay, Mark van Bommel, Edson Braafheid, Orlando Engelaar, Nigel de Jong, Stijn Schaars, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Demy de Zeeuw, Ryan Babel, Eljero Elia, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben.