Bergkamp ready to travel to Ajax tie

DENNIS BERGKAMP says Robin van Persie has the mental strength to cope with his latest setback but he is ready to make the overland trip to cover for his compatriot's suspension against Ajax.

Having endured a summer in which he was held in prison for two weeks while under investigation for an alleged rape, which he denies, van Persie was sent off against FC Thun in Arsenal's opening Champions League group tie.

The Dutch international was left proclaiming his innocence, with the dismissal certainly harsher than his red card at Southampton last season, when he lost his self-control and endangered his Arsenal future.