Making his move: Rafael Van der Vaart
Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has insisted Tottenham
are now finally as good as their north London rivals
Arsenal.
Robben, a Dutch team-mate of Rafael van der Vaart, believes
Spurs have bridged the gap between the clubs with their signing of
the midfielder from Real Madrid.
Robben said: 'Before Rafa signed, I’d still have had Arsenal
down as the stronger team - but now I don’t think there is anything
between them.
'With Rafa on board, Spurs really do have one of the very best
midfield players in the Premier League, maybe even the best.'
Robben admitted he wanted Van der Vaart to join him at Bayern,
and is sure Tottenham have made a shrewd move.
He told the Daily Star
Sunday: 'I don’t know why he didn’t join Bayern in the end.
I really wanted him but Spurs have bought a gem.
'In terms of his vision, his range of passing, his ability to
split a defence and his eye for goal he is as good as Cesc
Fabregas, Steven Gerrard and of course Frank Lampard.
'He is that bridge for Spurs that makes them go from a very good
Premier League club to a team capable of taking on and beating any
side in Europe on their day.
'When you consider the amount of money Real Madrid and
Manchester City have spent on players, it’s almost unbelievable to
think what Spurs reportedly paid for Rafa.
'Madrid almost gave away one of the best players in the world –
but that’s their style.
'They got rid of me and Wesley Sneijder in the same summer and I
went on to win my domestic league and get to the Champions League
Final while Wesley went on to win the Treble and become the best
player in the world.
'Madrid’s mistake will very much be Spurs’ gain.'
We're coming to get you! Arjen Robben believes Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger now has plenty of reason to fear Harry
Redknapp's Tottenham
Robben also believes that Arsenal star Robin van Persie
had been trying to tempt Van Der Vaart into a move to the
Emirates.
'I knew of his interest in England and that van Persie had been
speaking with him about how great life in London was. I think when
Robin was trying to convince him how great London and the Premier
League was, it was as though he was trying to convince him to join
Arsenal.
'It’s kind of backfired on Robin a little bit now, though,
because he has signed for their biggest rivals.'
Meanwhile it has been revealed that Robben could be out of
action until after the Bundesliga winter break. The 26-year-old
tore a muscle in his left thigh in a World Cup warm-up match, and
even though he came back to play in the tournament he
now seems to have aggravated the injury.
'It is more than questionable whether Arjen will be able to play
for us in the Bundesliga's round of matches before Christmas,'
Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger said.
'The healing process is unsatisfactory. It will take a long time
before Arjen is fit again.'