Van Persie aims to make amends

ARSENAL young Dutch forward Robin van Persie may get another chance to stake his claim for a regular first-team place at Bolton today - and an opportunity to prove he has learned from his mistakes.

Van Persie incurred manager Arsene Wenger's wrath when he was sent off against Southampton a fortnight ago and has also been involved in several niggly incidents this season.

With Thierry Henry set to miss the FA Cup quarter-final trip to Bolton due to a calf strain, the 21-year-old may get a chance to emphasise the positive rather than negative aspects of his game.

And yesterday van Persie insisted: "I am not a dirty player. Far from it. In life you never know what is going to happen. Against Southampton I thought 'brilliant, I am starting, this is going to be a fantastic match' and then one hour later I got a red card.

"I was very disappointed. At half-time the boss said to everyone to be careful, he spoke to me because I already had a yellow card.

"We kicked off again and five minutes later I had another yellow card and then a red. I was stupid. I got my second yellow because I did a little trick in the middle of the park, lost the ball and tried to get it back. If I could rewind time I would. It was a mistake and I told the team that after."

Van Persie was a regular for Feyenoord before he moved in the summer but has had to be content with limited first-team outings at Arsenal.

He added: "It has been different. The game here is much more physical so the matches I have played have been about getting used to the style of play and adapting to English football. I have a small voice in my head though saying 'be patient, your time will come'."

The suspension for his red card meant Quincy Owusu-Abeyie started up front in the FA Cup replay against Sheffield United.

The pair will contest a starting place at Bolton but whoever gets the shout van Persie predicts great things ahead for his fellow Dutchman.

He said: "Quincy is a fantastic guy. He has done well since the start of the season. He's so very fast and has great technique, he's a joy to watch.

"Some footballers have the pace but no technique, for some it is the other way around. Quincy has both and if he is smart he can be a big player."

Meanwhile, manager Arsene Wenger has shrugged off reports that Arsenal could lose Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira unless they invest heavily in their playing squad - and the Gunners boss is convinced the French pair remain "totally committed" to the club.

Wenger has funds available during the summer as he looks to bolster his numbers and mount another serious assault on domestic and European honours again in the next campaign. And the Arsenal manager rejected reports originating in France that key men Henry and Vieira would consider leaving the club. He said: "I don't accept that and I am not worried."