Arsenal striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robin-van-Persie-c31380: Rafael van der Vaart gives Tottenham Hotspur an edge, our defense needs improvement
Arsenal entertain arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby knowing anything less than three points would surely mean another season without silverware for them.
Manchester United have a six-point advantage over second placed Gunners and take on Newcastle United on Tuesday, April 19. Arsenal star striker Robin van Persie believes that the current crop of Tottenham Hotspur players is the
best he has faced since his move to Arsenal. He particularly praised compatriot Rafael van de Vaart for giving Spurs a new dimension while attacking.
Robin van Persie recommended the van der Vaart to Arsene Wenger only to see Harry Redknapp swoop for the Real Madrid ace for a bargain of ₤9 million.
While talking ahead of the North London derby at White Hart Lane, van Persie acknowledged the slow and steady progress made by Spurs and the signings that proved success.
“Fair play to them, they’ve become a better side since I came seven years ago. They were a good side but slowly they have developed into a better side; a top six, top five, top four side,” said van Persie.
The Arsenal striker went on to add, “This year in my opinion the arrival of Van de Vaart gives them a little bit extra to stay in the top six or seven. He is in my opinion the difference from being six or four or three. He gives
them something extra, he scores goals, he gives them assists. He is consistent in his game...a good player.”
The Dutch international was also critical of his side's defense as they are prone to mistakes and concede soft goals. Arsenal have dropped more points from winning positions than any other team this season. His tirade came in the
wake of Arsenal’s defensive woes, which came to haunt them as they dropped two crucial points against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 with only seconds remaining on the clock at the Emirates.
This is not the first time they have conceded late goals in crucial games this season with Arsene Wenger’s team squandering to Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic, Sunderland and Wednesday night opponents Tottenham Hotspur. Not to
mention they lost the Carling Cup final to Birmingham City in the final seconds at Wembley.
The frustrated van Persie continued, “The same thing happened which happens so many time unfortunately...they scored. It happens too often in my opinion. If you look at our history we do concede goals when we go ahead.”
Arsenal will have revenge on mind as they visit White Hart Lane; Spurs defeated Arsenal earlier in the season after going two-nil down at half time only to make a miraculous comeback.
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