Arteta: RvP up with Messi

MIKEL ARTETA says that Arsenal captain Robin van Persie deserves to be compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo among the best players in the world.

His team-mate Alex Song is praying that the Dutchman doesn’t get injured, while coach Arsene is Wenger hoping that he signs a new contract as his current deal has only 18 months to run.

After his two goals against Borussia Dortmund sealed Arsenal’s place at the top of Group F, van Persie was the talk of the Emirates. He has now scored 33 goals in his last 30 appearances, and while the Dutchman sneaked out of a side-entrance after the match on Wednesday — evading the press as neatly as he shrugged off Mats Hummels for his two close-range efforts — he has given an insight into the inspiration behind his current run of form.