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Arsenal look for Van Persie magic
Dutch striker seen as the answer to London side's worries after Henry's departure.
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2007 04:47 GMT
Van Persie is capable of 'special' goals, according to Arsenal coach Wenger [GALLO/GETTY]
Robin Van Persie is expected to be the man to fill Arsenal's Thierry Henry-sized void in attack, coach Arsene Wenger says.
 
The Dutch international was the club's top scorer last year with 13 goals before a broken metatarsal bone ended his season in January. That injury, coupled with the one to Henry, ended Arsenal's hopes of a title challenge.
"Robin played 17 games last year and Thierry 16, and together that is 33 games," Wenger said about Arsenal's strike partnership last year.
 
"Robin scored 11 goals in 17 and Thierry 10 in 16, so you could multiply that by two.''
Creativity
 
Van Persie's goal in Sunday's 2-1 pre-season win over Italian champion Inter Milan was right out of the Henry playbook.
 
When Van Persie gained possession on the edge of the six-yard box and began moving the ball with the outside of his left foot, it was assumed he was creating an angle for a left-foot shot.
 
Instead, Van Persie dragged the ball back onto his less-favoured right foot before blasting the ball into the net.
 
"We know that Robin can score special goals, and he has scored a special goal," Wenger said.
 
However, for all the flair, Arsenal need one thing this season - trophies.
 
Many believe for that to become a reality Van Persie must finish the year with at least 15 goals, but the man himself wasn't feeling the pressure of taking up the mantle of club's main striker.
 
"I don't feel the pressure at all," Van Persie.
 
"It's not my aim to be the top scorer. I play football because I like it, and I think I would destroy that feeling if I was saying to myself: 'I have to score at least 20 goals or 15 goals.'
 
"Football is about whether you want to run for each other, if you want to fight for each other, if you really want to play some ball."
Source:
Agencies
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