LONDON // Robin van Persie casts an eye towards the Emirates Stadium and says that the ground should show how ambitious Arsenal are. Grand, imposing and mightily impressive, the stadium is a top-class venue for what the Dutchman believes is a top-class team. Like his teammates, Van Persie is eager to show the club can cope with the loss of some of their established stars like Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb and win honours in the coming season.
"Players leaving is part of football, those things happen," he says. "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. We will stay focused. 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.
"I hope we can do it. I am committed to winning the league, and if you look around, so is everyone here. "Arsenal have to win something every year; that is our aim. If it doesn't happen, then everyone is really disappointed. "I want to win as much as possible. This is Arsenal; just look around what is here at the stadium." The absence of the skilful striker, 25, during parts of last season with a knee injury dented the Gunners hopes, but he is hoping he can stay fit and fire along with Emmanuel Adebayor, who scored a penalty to sink Real Madrid on Sunday in the Emirates Cup after Van Persie had been fouled.
"I learned a lot in the last two years, because I have been injured so much," he says. "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 be better regarding injuries. If you think positive, you get positive. "[On Sunday] we showed that Ade and I have a few nice combinations together. You always have to work together and hopefully this is a good start. I did not know whether he would be staying and I am happy that he has committed his future here."
Like Van Persie, Bacary Sagna is also hoping for an injury-free period after making his return following an ankle injury in March. The setback unsettled Arsenal at a crucial time in the Premier and Champions Leagues where they faltered after showing much promise. @Email:akhan@thenational.ae
