Arsenal full-back Gael Clichy is optimistic ahead of the new season, noting that if Robin van Persie should stay fit, his presence will improve the Gunners' performances...

Van Persie was a key player in the Gunners' blistering start to last season, and though they maintained their strong showings even when he once again was sidelined with injuries, ultimately they floundered and many pointed to his absence as one of the key factors in their late-season failure.

One man who agrees is Gael Clichy, who notably went the whole season without injury and was one of the Arsene Wenger's star players.

Clichy compared van Persie to Manchester United phenomenon Cristiano Ronaldo for his ability to change a game in an instant.

"He was unlucky to be injured last season so it was good to see him play game after game," said the Frenchman. "It was a big blow to lose him and I'm certain that his return is going to be a great bonus for us this season.

"At Arsenal we have lots of players who can make a difference, but Robin is a player like Cristiano Ronaldo, the kind who, even if they aren't playing fantastically, can change things from one free-kick, corner or one pass."

Chet Winter, Goal.com

Robin will play tomorrow in the Goals4africa game in Munich. In holland you can watch it on RTL 7 of 20.00 - 22.45.

Every goal will help! Especially on the evening of 12 July 2008 when the two select teams comprised of the best football players in the world take the pitch at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The following footballers will participate:

Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan),Kaká (AC Milan),Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin),Steven Gerrard (FC Liverpool),
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Adebayor (Arsenal),Dida (AC Milan),Maldini (AC Milan),Gattuso (AC Milan),Ronaldo (AC Milan),Zé Roberto (FC Bayern)
Didier Drogba (FC Chelsea),Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan),Robin van Persie (Arsenal London)
Andrea Shevchenko (FC Chelsea),Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid),Baichung Bhutia (Mohun Began),Diego (Werder Bremen),Samuel Etoó (FC Barcelona)
Benni Mc Carthy (Blackburn),Christopher Veijeany Samba (Blackburn),Michael Essien (FC Chelsea)
Tony Sylva (Lille),Ronald Zubar (Marsiglia),Shaun Bartlett (Kaizer Chiefs)
Kaizer Motaung jr. (Kaizer Chiefs),Naldo (Werder Bremen),Edgar Davids (Ajax Amsterdam)Michael Ballack (FC Chelsea)

Along with many others!

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: GOALS4AFRICA.ORG

Robin van Persie, the Arsenal forward, features strongly on new Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho's transfer list, according to reports, doing little to restore Arsenal fans’ confidence that the north London club are capable of retaining senior players with their current wage structure.

Van Persie, currently on international duty with Holland at Euro 2008, spoke out recently in criticism of the club’s current wage set-up, suggesting that the carrot the club offer their players is incapable of rivalling other teams.

The Dutchman’s laments about the club’s wage policy will be a serious cause for concern for the Arsenal board. If it is money that the Dutchman is interested in, Arsenal will have a tough time keeping hold of the player, with Inter apparently able to double his current salary.

Van Persie, who is valued at around £15 million, has stalled talks at the Emirates, demanding that the club further demonstrate their ability to keep star players in situ before he signs a new deal. "Keeping this team together," he says, is of vital importance.

However, Arsenal have already lost Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan this summer, and Alexander Hleb is expected to follow the Frenchman to the continent shortly, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona leading the chase to sign him.

The recent signing of Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff City will do little to lift van Persie's spirits. He is more concerned with ensuring that established players stay at the Emirates than bringing in untested talent.

In this context, Van Persie will be reassured by what looks to have been a successful attempt by Arsene Wenger to keep hold of Emmanuel Adebayor despite AC Milan's expressed interest in the striker. The Tongo international is said to be on the verge of signing a new contract at the Emirates.

I've added the trainingspictures of todays training..! you can see them HERE!!

Robin van Persie is confident Holland will win Euro 2008 because he feels 'unbeatable' within the squad.

The Dutch qualified from this summer's 'Group of Death' as they comprehensively defeated Italy and France to book a quarter-final date, before brushing aside Romania with a much-changed side.

And ahead of a last eight meeting with Russia in Basel on Saturday, Arsenal forward Van Persie has revealed his belief in his international team-mates.

Holland have not won the European Championship since 1988, but Van Persie feels a 20-year wait for glory will come to an end in Austria and Switzerland.

Dream
"We've sent out a message," Van Persie said in the Daily Mail. "But this is just part of the dream, not the end.

"We have to win three more times to lift the trophy.

"With this squad I really have the feeling that we are unbeatable, though we have to take it step by step.

"That is why I want to be part of the team as it feels like something beautiful is happening."

Fresh
Van Persie, who spent the majority of last season out injured, scored Holland's second goal in the 2-0 victory over Romania as he started his first game of Euro 2008.

And, despite playing in a slightly withdrawn position when compared to his role at Arsenal, Van Persie is hopeful he is again named in coach Marco van Basten's first XI.

"It doesn't matter to me where I play," added Van Persie. "If the boss believes I can be valuable for the team in another position, I will play there.

"Mentally I am fresh, physically as well. Of course I want to play in the quarter-final but we'll have to see."

I'VE ADDED THE PHOTO'S OF TODAYS TRAINING, YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE

Man of the match Robin van Persie was pleased with how Holland raised their game in the second half to dump Romania out of Euro 2008 and advance to the quarter-finals with a perfect record from the 'Group of Death'.

Van Persie scored his second goal of the competition to clinch a 2-0 win over the Romanians at Bern's Stade de Suisse Wankdorf on Wednesday night after Klaas Jan Huntelaar had opened the scoring.

"It's a nice victory, definitely," said the Arsenal forward. "The first half was very difficult because they had eight men behind the ball but the second half there was a bit more space and we could pass it a little more easily forwards. Overall it was a good team performance."

Coach Marco Van Basten too was thrilled with the former Feyenoord player's display.

"I'm very happy for him," said the AC Milan legend. "He worked hard. He has had a long and difficult time without playing and finally he has now played 90 minutes.

"It was not easy for him at the start but he worked hard and I think after that hard work it was his reward to score a nice goal so in the end everybody was happy."

Holland can now look forward to a quarter-final against either Russia or Spain at Basle's St Jakob-Park on Saturday.

Holland's win allowed world champions Italy - 2-0 winners over France in Zurich - to also advance to the last eight with Les Bleus dumped out along with Romania.

Romania coach Victor Piturca admitted his side had felt the effects of their exertions in holding World Cup finalists France and Italy to creditable draws in their first two games.

"Perhaps we were a little bit tired," he said. "We should have been mentally stronger than the Dutch but we weren't. We took enough risks, at times we had three against three at the back and you simply can't do that against teams like Holland. They are clinical."

YOU CAN SEE THE PHOTO'S HERE!!

Netherlands 2-0 Romania.

Despite making no fewer than nine changes to their side, the Dutch maintained their 100% record with an easy win over a Romanian side that simply was not up to it on such a crucial night. The Tricolorii go home, while the Dutch prepare to meet Russia or Sweden...

The World Champions of Italy might have so nearly been humbled, and France may also have left with their tails between their legs, but the fairytale of Romania's advancement through the 'Group of Death' concluded before the final chapter was written.

For it was the jubilant Dutch that left with all three points in Bern, Marco van Basten's all-changed line-up doing more than enough to sink their opponents on what was a largely uninspiring occasion. With Goals of Klaas-jan Huntelaar and Robin van persie.

I'VE ADDED THE PICTURES TO THE GALLERY, OF TODAYS TRAINING, YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE!!

Robin van Persie, the Arsenal forward, features strongly on new Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho's transfer list, according to reports, doing little to restore Arsenal fans’ confidence that the north London club are capable of retaining senior players with their current wage structure.

Van Persie, currently on international duty with Holland at Euro 2008, spoke out recently in criticism of the club’s current wage set-up, suggesting that the carrot the club offer their players is incapable of rivalling other teams.


Linked: Van Persie could be next to leave
The Dutchman’s laments about the club’s wage policy will be a serious cause for concern for the Arsenal board. If it is money that the Dutchman is interested in, Arsenal will have a tough time keeping hold of the player, with Inter apparently able to double his current salary.

Van Persie, who is valued at around £15 million, has stalled talks at the Emirates, demanding that the club further demonstrate their ability to keep star players in situ before he signs a new deal. "Keeping this team together," he says, is of vital importance.

However, Arsenal have already lost Mathieu Flamini to AC Milan this summer, and Alexander Hleb is expected to follow the Frenchman to the continent shortly, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona leading the chase to sign him.

The recent signing of Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff City will do little to lift van Persie's spirits. He is more concerned with ensuring that established players stay at the Emirates than bringing in untested talent.

In this context, Van Persie will be reassured by what looks to have been a successful attempt by Arsene Wenger to keep hold of Emmanuel Adebayor despite AC Milan's expressed interest in the striker. The Tongo international is said to be on the verge of signing a new contract at the Emirates.

I've ADDED THE PICTURES OF TODAYS PRESSCONFERENCE, YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE!!

Dutch coach Marco van Basten has praised both Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben for their performances against France, in which the Netherlands won 4-1.

van Persie has missed most of the Gunners' domestic campaign through injury and is therefore fresher compared to his other team mates and will be looking to get some much-needed match practice under his belt.

van Basten said: "We were lucky when we were under pressure but it is very comforting when you can bring on players like Robben and van Persie.

"It was necessary to start stretching the French and their goals made the difference."