Wenger - Why I made Van Persie captain
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By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger installed Robin van Persie as Arsenal captain because of the dressing-room respect he had gained from his ability on the pitch and his words off it.
The Dutchman took the armband in the summer after Cesc Fabregas departed for Barcelona. It was another achievement in an incredible 2011 for the former Feyenoord striker who become the 17th man to score a century of goals for Arsenal with a brace against Bolton on Saturday.
Afterwards, Wenger explained his decision to give the 28-year-old the senior role.
“Robin has matured from the boy who was a little bit emotionally impulsive when he arrived to the guy he is today,” said the manager.
“It was difficult to predict but he is intelligent, he speaks his mind and you can talk to him as well. He takes advice and overall he has developed very well.
“I think he has a combination of leadership on the pitch. He is technically a super-talent, certainly, and you gain respect from the others. Now he has added the second part, that means speaking his mind. It means you get a kind of credit.
“I remember having said to Lilian Thuram once, he called me and said 'I am in the dressing room and they don't listen to me', I said to him 'you won the World Cup, you have to speak'.
“He said 'I am not a regular player so I don't feel I am in a position to speak'. But that is all linked with your confidence as well.”
[Monday, September 26, 2011]
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