Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Monday September 21 2009
Time: 3:10PM
UK time is: 23:38:44
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RvP Hates Not Scoring But Loves Vermaelen
Robin van Persie believes he should be scoring more goals, though it's not so much of a problem as long as the goals are coming from all over the pitch.
Arsenal's leading goal scorer for the 2008/09 campaign has only found the back of the net once in five appearances for the Gunners so far this season despite his team mates banging them in from all angles (using all body parts), and whilst the Dutchman thinks he should be scoring more, he doesn't think it's such a big deal so long as the team continues to gel and creates goals from other areas.
'I'm quite happy with that [the distribution of goals throughout the team] but I should score more personally, especially against Wigan. But as long as we share the goals and everyone is passing at the right moment I am happy.
'But I don't feel that I'm at the top of my game as a main striker yet. I have to improve on many things but it is quite new and the main thing is that the boss really backs me on this one.'
Speaking of Rob being happy with his team mates finding the net, the (surprise) leading goal scorer for us so far this season is Arsenal new boy (and I think someone forgot to tell him he's a defender) is Thomas Vermaelen ..... and van Persie is very happy they're on the same team after an altercation in a pre-season tournament a couple of years ago.
'He is hard and played very strong on me physically, I was a little bit upset about that. So I told him in nice words!'
Now I'm happy he is on my side now. In training everyone mixes up so I play against him. He is tough and it's good because I am training against proper defenders.'
And the returning to the theme of goal scoring team-mates Van Persie showed his admiration for Vermaelen's brace against Wigan last Saturday.
'The first one showed he is very, very strong from corners and free kicks and that is very important for us.
Even if we play badly we can always score from set pieces. I would have been proud of his second goal."
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Your Comments
Is everyone else happy with RVP playing at the centre of the forward three? I personally would like to see Nicky there and Robin on one of the wider roles. That might give him a bit of the freedom he needs to find the pockets he's used to. Saying that, I'm still trying to fully understand the practical workings of the tactic so I might be off the mark.
navydave
A season or so back we were complaining that we didn't get enough goals from midfield and set pieces. Now we don't get enough from the strikers. It maybe that none of our forwards will win the golden boot this season but they'll get their share of goals. The individual trophies are just lip gloss.
Amos.
van Persie will find goal scoring form, he always does and as long as he does before the goals dry up from other areas then everything will be working wonderfully. I also think the that returns of Rosicky Walcott, Arshavin and Nasri (when ever they may occur) will also improve our goal out put.
Rocky7
Robin will come good. He has the quality, and the quality always shines through. I wouldn't bet against him banging in 20+
Gunnerman
Agreed GM - If we keep up this scoring rate he'll be top of the charts in no time at all. I think that with him playing the role of the lead striker it attracts the attention of more defenders, but then that does leave the gate open for other players to get in there. By simply having a respected reputation as a goal scorer he's helping the team to create space.
Rocky7
He has got 4 assists and hit the woodwork twice. Goals will come soon
paul_ownz
Felt badly for RVP on Saturday, he was so frustrated and tried so damned hard--but the goals will come! Was also worried about Cesc's demeanor, I just hope it was about his frustration at his performance and injury as a result of being kicked around by opponents. And I'd just like to say that I am absolutely madly in love with the Verminator.
jaelle
You're madly in love with The Verm, Jaelle? I hope you've informed Gunnerblood that you two are no longer an item. :)
Rocky7
Me too Jaelle, me too! Back on RvP, the sooner he ends his love affair with the woodwork the better. As you guys said, this guy's a natural and the quality will come through on the scoresheet. I'm not bothered by it at all. Rather worried that we conceded quite a few goals lately while our CB's have been playing well. That said, I thought Clichy put in a much better shift against Wigan, but then we need to see him against stronger opposition to tell if he's back on track.
GoonerLou
Rocky, my hopes for an affair with GB ended when he mentioned his girlfriend, that just won't do! :-) Clichy did look better on Saturday but I still worry about him. Never thought I'd say this but Eboue's become such an exciting player to watch (sans the silly dives and handballs).
jaelle
I can't follow the argument that he could be a winger, he just doesn't have the ability to do so.
Tom14
I personally would have my front 3 from left to right
Arshavin - Eduardo - RVP
Eduardo is the best natural goal scorer and best box player on our entire squad. He's the only striker with multiple goals and hasn't had a mass of game time.
Plus there's so much danger is when someone with a left foot like RVP's cuts in from the right, then you've got Arshavin doing that from the other side. It will be fkn deadly Centering attacking i tell you! Then with Sagna and Clichy overlapping we also have the ability to do the crossing options. ...though Sagna's crossing ability is questionable at times, i'm afraid thats an undeniable fact!
FuiKaka
The problem is with lining the front three up like that is that they all end up attacking the same space and I don't think that would give us much in the way of variety. Plus, the full backs are lacking protection as it is, if all three forwards are wandering around on the edge of the box, I don't see Sagna and Clichy liking that too much. The beauty of the front three is that they are interchangable, they can all play any of the front positions and can rotate and find space as the game dictates. No need to get too bogged down in fixed positions.
Little Dutch
LD! That front 3 could rotate quite easy, if AA and RVP go for a quick swap then RVP could bang in crosses with his left foot from the left and AA do the same from the right. Dudu has already proved his can play on the left hand side attacker. Do that would also elimate the need for the wingbacks to push up, and when they do Den or Song should provide the cover because at the point of attacking we'd already have 3 forwards plus Cesc. Then either Den or Song in holding mid and the other covering the defender who's pushed forward. Trust me, it would work! I've already talked to Mr.Wenger about it ;)
FuiKaka
The fact that RvP, is getting plenty of chances to score, imo means that He will soon start hitting the back of the net. And I for one can't wait for him to start racking up the goals!!!
hackneyval
I think RVP's doing a pretty good job as CF. Only a large handful of strikers in the world would be better, and they'd each cost over 15m (Chamahk would not be better b4 anyone contends so).
His work in the lead up to our 4th goal on Saturday, was just what we want from a CF - keeps possession, occupies a defender completely and at least one other player on the possibility of a turn, then a neat lay off to a player in a better position.
I don't think he went to ground for the whole game on Saturday - a massive imrovement in itself. Nor was there any important loss of possession, unlike many other accomplished CFs. But just as crucially, when RVP passes with his back to goal it's never a pointless Togolese one-two to the player from whom he got it. It's a lateral movement, a diagonal, a ball into space inviting the midfielder forward.
RVP possesses the intelligence to make our forward play dynamic and incisive. More so than Bendtner at this stage, while offering set piece delivery and the ability to make something out of nothing.
RVP's our best choice at the front of our front 3.
hughied
In a traditional 4-4-2, its a different kettle of barramundi. I'd play ARsh and Eddie up front. But in a 4-3-3, he's perfect in the middle.
hughied
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