Arsenal legend Arsene Wenger has compared former Gunner Robin van Persie to Dennis Bergkamp.
The two Dutchmen are remembered very differently by Arsenal fans. One is an absolute icon, while the other is someone we just don’t like talking about. Wenger, being the great man he is, is still full of praise for Van Persie.
Arsene Wenger compares Robin van Persie to Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp is one of the greatest players to ever play for Arsenal.
The Dutchman spent 11 years as a Gunner and became an absolute legend of the club. He helped us win three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three Community Shields.
He scored over 100 goals and provided more than 100 assists in all competitions, and is just one of the all-time greats in English football.
Arsene Wenger played a big part in Bergkamp’s success, and he tried to help Robin van Persie achieve similar success when he was under him.
The legendary Frenchman picked him from Feyenoord and turned him into one of the best strikers, not just in the Premier League, but in the world.
Now, while speaking about Van Persie, Wenger compared him to his legendary compatriot, Bergkamp.
He told Goal: “Elegant, like Dennis Bergkamp… Dutch touch!”
Robin van Persie ruined his Arsenal legacy
Robin van Persie was a fan favourite when he was loyal to Arsenal.
The Dutchman spent eight years at the club and scored over 130 goals for us. Arsene Wenger stuck by him every time he got injured, but in the end, he turned his back on the manager who made him.
Van Persie left Arsenal to join our bitter rivals Manchester United in 2012 for £24 million because the ‘little boy’ inside him infamously told him to do so.
That ruined his Arsenal legacy, and some of his comments about us over the years just show the difference in class between him, who is a nobody to Gooners, and Dennis Bergkamp, who is respected by everyone in the game.