RVP must follow Rooney rule

Prior to Robin van Persie joining Arsenal, Arsene Wenger was handed a stern warning from Feyernoord boss Bert van Marwijk

Such were the problems with Van Persie, with constant infighting with the manager and fellow teammates disrupting first-team affairs, the 20-year-old was forced to train with the reserves.

“His behaviour made it impossible for him to remain in the squad any longer so he will join the reserve side for the time being,” said Van Marwijk.

“I think it’s a real pity and I also consider it to be a defeat for me.”

On the face of it, quelling Van Persie’s attitude appeared like a task tailor-made for Wenger, who had already nurtured the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry.

If Wenger didn’t know before Van Persie joined the problems facing him, it took just a season for the reality to hit home. The Dutchman was sent off for a reckless tackle on Graeme Le Saux, allowing Southampton to nick a point as the Gunners’ title challenge fizzled out in the 2004/05 season.

The Frenchman described Van Persie’s actions as indefensible, while one newspaper journalist said he was ’21 going on nine’.

His Arsenal career has since been littered with indiscipline, his sending off against Stoke City in 2009 another to add to the catalogue of injuries already sustained by the Holland international. With only £2.75 million spent, Wenger would have good reason to cast him astray.

But it’s to Wenger, and more importantly Van Persie’s credit that things have taken change for the better. In short, the 28-year-old is now arguably the most feared central striker in world football.

He netted his 33rd club goal of the season as Arsenal staged a comeback to defeat Newcastle United on Monday night, a game that coincided with the return of the sort of behaviour we’d associate with the Van Persie of old.

We’re used to infighting among the Dutch ranks; Ruud Gullit and Dick Advocaat in ’94, Edgar Davids and Guus Hiddink in ’96 or Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder in 2010, however on this occasion the problems spilled over into the day-to-day runnings of the Premier League.

Van Persie’s dispute with fellow countryman, and Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul appeared to be over nothing more than the stopper procrastinating between the taking of goal-kicks, often goading the Arsenal frontman into approaching him before picking up the ball, something he’s perfectly entitled to do.

After the hosts hit the front in the fifth minute of injury time, Krul then turned protagonist, confronting Van Persie, who refused to back down. Such was the delay, the game slipped into a 99th minute.

While many media agencies, including the chief broadcaster Sky Sports attempted to paint a perfect picture of Van Persie, claiming the skipper was showing passion as he led from the front for his club, the reality is that the situation left a sour taste. Most uncharacteristic from a player who has had a sweet tooth for goals these past 15 months.

It was an unsavoury lapse from a player who must be arranging his mantel piece for this season’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, and a reminder that the darker side of Van Persie, that led to Van Marwijk ostracising him eight years ago, still lives inside him.

The whole incident went to undermine his evening’s work, with Theo Walcott forced to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, as Van Persie appeared preoccupied with riling Krul than assist his own side’s fortunes. His performance subsided, as it did during his early days in English football.

The troubles of Van Persie are similar to that of Wayne Rooney, who himself was forced to tackle his own on the field problems. Constant issues with indiscipline, including sarcastically clapping referee Kim Milton Neilsen, or stamping on Ricardo Carvalho left many wondering whether Rooney’s immense talent would forever be dogged by his petulance.

There’s little doubt that Rooney has curbed his outlandish behaviour since his dismissal against Portugal. Having been sent off twice in his first two seasons since joining United, he’s received just two red cards in the last six campaigns.

The long-standing argument with Rooney is his aggression contributes to the brilliant player he has rapidly become. The nature of his two most recent dismissals suggest it’s frustration, rather than exuberance, that gets the better of him. Neither have particularly coincided with a downturn in form either, with both reds coming in two of Rooney’s best three scoring seasons.

Having seen the best of Van Persie this season, it’s obvious the edge to his personality doesn’t accompany his superb individual showings, unlike with Rooney who is often guilty of lambasting officials and yet getting the job done.

The personality of both players might be different, but it’s undeniable the regularity of their quality will dictate the prizes their side collect at the end of the season. If Van Persie can learn anything from Rooney, it’s to keep cool and carry on.

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!