Van Persie ready for Bergkamp role

ARSENAL forward Robin van Persie will stake his claim to fill the boots of his compatriot Dennis Bergkamp when the Barclays Premiership season starts later this month.

Bergkamp, 37, bade farewell to Arsenal fans at the weekend with a testimonial at the new Emirates Stadium, and his potential successors are now vying for the chance to establish themselves as the next Gunners great.

Van Persie, who has been tipped to be Bergkamp’s eventual replacement when he was signed from Feyenoord two years ago, believes he has benefited from playing and training with the veteran Dutchman.