Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has backed the fit-again Robin van
Persie to help make up for the summer exit of star striker Thierry
Henry to Barcelona.
The 23-year-old Netherlands forward was in scintillating form last
term until a broken toe ended his season in January, with van
Persie having already bagged 13 goals before his setback.
He returned in the pre-season Emirates Cup this weekend and fired
in a superb goal in the 2-1 victory over Internazionale.
Afterwards, Wenger said: "We missed him and Thierry together last
season. On the scoresheet it was a bit too much.
"Robin played 17 games last year and Thierry 16, 33 (league) games
together. Robin scored 11 goals in 17, Thierry ten in 16. You could
multiply that by two.
"The media always pick one or two players out. Who will it
be?
"The players who are picked out mustn't forget the team-play, the
teamwork and that we must play as a team.
"That's not easy to resist when you're picked out as a star, but
Robin can handle the pressure on him."