Van builds on statue status

WHEN Arsenal decide whether they should add any more statues to the three they unveiled outside the Emirates Stadium on Friday, Robin van Persie’s name will be top of the list.

The Dutchman may not have scored as many goals as Thierry Henry, or captained the club to 13 major honours, as Tony Adams did, but his worth to Arsenal cannot be overstated.

Indeed, it was fitting that he chose the occasion of the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations to demonstrate that, although Arsene Wenger may disagree, the club’s success or failure rests squarely on his shoulders.