Arsenal have had some mightily talented players over the years but some seem to hold a certain stature about them that is greater than the rest.
The likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams are legends of the club and rightly admired.
However, according to former midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, it was another star striker who left him starstruck when he first arrived from Southampton.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits Robin van Persie left him starstruck
We have to go all the way back to 2011 for Oxlade-Chamberlain signing for Arsenal and he did indeed join a star packed squad.
However, speaking on Sky Sports’ In The Mixer, he admitted it was quite humbling to come in and train with ‘RVP’.
“It was kind of only when I got there and you see the players that you think, hang on a minute, what am I doing here with Robin van Persie and guys that you know I’ve looked up to for years,” Oxlade-Chamberlain admitted.
“And then you just have to keep taking it in your stride quite quickly.”
Robin van Persie’s stats backed up how good he was
With Oxlade-Chamberlain arriving in 2011, he would have the pleasure of witnessing Van Persie at his very best that season.
The Dutch striker took his game to a completely new level and ended the 2011/12 campaign with 37 goals in all competitions, including 30 in the Premier League alone.
It was no surprise that the following season, Man United came in and took Van Persie off Arsenal’s hands.
Van Persie then fired United to the title, scoring another 30 goals to add to what was already an impressive tally in English football.
In the end, ‘RVP’ finished with 144 Premier League goals and 59 assists. Indeed, to say he cost Arsenal just £3m, he has to go down as one of the best signings of all-time.
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