RVP shocked at Arsenal turnaround

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie admits he has been shocked by his side’s rapid turnaround following their awful start to the season.

The Gunners were languishing near the bottom of the Premier League after a string of heavy defeats, including a demoralising 8-2 loss at the hands of Manchester United.

But they have since turned their season around and now sit in fifth spot and just three points off third place.

Captain van Persie has chipped in with 16 goals, just under half of Arsenal’s 33 top-flight tally, but he cited the influence of experienced heads in the dressing room for the Gunners’ improvement.

“Maybe a little bit. We had to get used to the new players (who signed at the end of August),” he told the club’s website.

“I have to give lots of credit to Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen and Yossi Benayoun – great characters, really helpful in every area. When I need assistance, they are always helping me.”

“Mikel, for example, played seven years at Everton, two years at Rangers and you can tell he’s an experienced player. Yossi is similar, Per Mertesacker has played close to 80 times for Germany. They have really helped me.”

Van Persie is close to beating the record held by Alan Shearer for most goals scored in a calendar year but he just wants his club to continue their good run – even at the expense of the record.

“I just want to help my team, help them with assists and goals and good football,” he said.

“In some games that means holding on to the ball when we are struggling. Football is more for me than scoring, it can give you more than goals.”

“(Against Aston Villa) I gave a nice pass to Aaron, and I enjoy that as much as a goal. I just like to play football.”