In-form striker Robin van Persie insists he is at the right club for him, and that winning trophies for any other team would not be as special as success with Arsenal.
The Dutchman arrived in North London at the age of just 20, and is backing up Arsene Wenger’s vision that bringing players to the club at a young age will make them forever connected with that team.
Van Persie’s career has been blighted by numerous injury problems, but has always proven a lethal striker when fit, and has enjoyed a long run in the team of late, scoring 13 goals in just 20 games.
The 27-year-old says he is enjoying himself, and the way Wenger’s side play football, and hopes to finally end the club’s wait for silverware this season, as he feels the same pain as the fans for the recent trophy drought.
“I don’t have the inclination to go anywhere. This is the best team for me to be in. The bottom line is that I want to win trophies with Arsenal, not with anybody else. I know you can win trophies in many countries and in many ways, but I want to do that in our way and in an Arsenal shirt.
“I’m sure I could win things at another team in another country, but would it feel like our trophy, my trophy? I’m not sure it would. Anything we win here will come from the heart and that’s what I want. It’s my dream and I see no point in speaking about other teams when I have these dreams. I think other people know that about me; I’m just hungry to win with Arsenal and that’s it.
“It’s a massive game against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final, just massive. Going to Wembley in front of 90,000 fans, lifting that trophy, just imagine it!
“I know what everyone’s feeling having not won anything for a few years — how I’m feeling, the fans, everybody connected with this place.
“Making other people happy by winning the competition our way would make me so proud. We can make such a great number of people happy.”
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
