ROBIN VAN PERSIE has
insisted it will be a travesty if Arsenal end the season
empty-handed for the third successive year.
The Dutchman said the Gunners deserve reward for the wonderful
football they have produced.
But their title hopes took another blow when a fourth successive
draw – 1-1 with Middlesbrough on Saturday – saw them lose their
lead at the top to Manchester United.
And defeat at Chelsea on Sunday would see them slip to third behind
their London rivals.
However, Arsenal are also in the Champions League last eight, where
they face Liverpool.
Van Persie said: “We have to win at least one trophy this time. If
we don’t, then we would have played fantastic football for
nothing.
“This is our moment. We all realise we are in a fantastic position
and this has to be our year. It’s still in our hands and we have to
take it.
“We have something here. We can win the Double but belief is 50 per
cent of it. I still think we can do it, and hopefully I can play a
part in it.
“I’m not a daydreamer, I really think we can win the title and the
Champions League this season. Why not? We have the quality and the
belief which can take you very far.
“I’m really up for it. Mentally I’m ready as well, and physically
although I can’t play 90 minutes yet, I am getting there.
“It’s just match fitness I need now. I need three or four games to
get back into it and I will give everything I have when I’m out on
the pitch.”
Van Persie has suffered an injury-plagued season and looked rusty
when he made his latest comeback on Saturday.
He added: “All in all, it has been a very frustrating season.
“It started really well for me but it’s really difficult to talk
about injuries as I’ve never had serious injuries in my life, and
now I just talk about injuries.
“I don’t feel like I’m injury-prone. Those two thigh injuries this
season were my first muscle injuries in my whole life and I have
been playing since I was five.”
