Van Persie leads dressing room inquest

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie led a dressing-room inquest into their 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United on Sunday according to reports in the Daily Mail.

United’s Danny Welbeck scored an 81st minute winner after Van Perise himself had levelled the tie up at one-apiece some 10 minutes earlier.

But it was Arsenal’s languid play throughout that angered Van Perise and with United largely dominating throughout, Arsenal players were jeered off at the final whistle.

Sunday’s result leaves the Gunners five points adrift of fourth placed Chelsea, and after what was their third successive defeat, Van Persie was quick to reinforce that recent performances are simply not good enough if they are to secure a Champions League qualifying spot for next season.

The talismanic captain initiated a heated yet honest discussion in the dressing room after the final whistle, in an effort to understand why recent displays have dipped and re-enthuse his team-mates.

Van Persie was also at the centre of speculation surrounding further discord within the camp after Sky cameras captured the Dutchman apparently mouthing the word ‘No’ and swearing at his manager’s 74th-minute withdrawal of teenager Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Van Persie, however, has insisted he was not questioning Wengers judgment, saying that his boss was right to make the change.

The striker told The Sun: ‘I was not having a go at the boss on Sunday — I was just sad to see Alex leave the pitch as he just gave the assist for our only goal.

‘I was not questioning his judgment — I know it’s not my place to challenge what Arsene Wenger does.

‘He is the boss, he makes the decisions and that’s it… end of story.

‘I have worked with the boss long enough to know there’s always a good reason behind his decisions — and there was again on Sunday.

‘When Arsene makes a decision, it is based on a lot of information that everyone else might not know about and he will never betray.

‘I admire him so much for that.

He added: ‘Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a calf injury. We did not know that but the boss did and brought Andrey Arshavin on.

‘I have a lot of respect and admiration for Arsene Wenger. He is one of the best football coaches in the world, with a brilliant record of success here at Arsenal. I wouldn’t be here or the player I am without him.

‘The manager and I are fine and my relationship with the club is good. I don’t want anyone misunderstanding the situation here for a moment.

‘There is no problem, there is no conflict and there is no controversy. The boss knows that, I know that, the players all know that.

‘But it’s important the Arsenal fans know that and that people in the game know that.’

Posted by MarkG on January 25, 2012. Filed under Arsenal, FA Barclays Premiership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.