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ARSENAL: Euro 2008 Week: 'Van Persie can be the key'

/noticias.info/ Robin van Persie (Holland)
Euro 2008 - Group C
(France, Holland, Italy, Romania)

Arsenal.com is turning its attention to Euro 2008. Seven of Arsène Wenger’s squad are in Austria and Switzerland and we asked a reporter from each country to assess the fortunes of each representative. Here’s Jaap de Groot, a journalist for De Telegraaf, on Dutch forward Robin van Persie.

What is the perception of Van Persie in Holland?
"At the moment he is seen as one of the key players of the national team. He was more or less introduced at the 2006 World Cup as a new member of the squad. Before that he was more seen as a talent than a real mature international. So he got established in 2006 and during the qualification games towards Euro 2008 he was a key factor in many games. I think that if it wasn't a player with the status of Van Persie, [coach] Marco van Basten may not have selected him for the tournament because of his injuries. But now you see that they are being very careful with him because they really want him fit for the Euros. He gets special treatment, special training programmes, they won't let him play yet. Put it this way - it's not treatment for an average player."

How influential was he during the qualification campaign?
"There were some games - at Bulgaria, the whole game against Belarus for example - when he made the difference. He scored decisive goals, especially in the first part of the qualifying campaign before he got injured."

What role will Van Persie fill in the Dutch side?
"They are working on two systems, one with two men up front and one with 4-3-3. The problem is that Van Persie has to change his way of playing slightly because he might have to play as a right or left winger, depending on the formation Van Basten plays, or he might be a half-midfielder, half-attacker in a different formation. In a way the problem is up front because Holland has so many good players and Van Basten is puzzling over how to get them all on the pitch. You have Sneijder, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Van der Vaart, Robben, Kuyt, there are six attackers for six positions, but you need balance of course. So who do you keep out?"

Do you expect Van Persie to start the opening game against Italy?
"I think Van Basten is focused on the opening games against Italy and France, so there will be a slightly stronger midfield. I would not be surprised if Van Basten uses Van Persie more in the games that follow. He could use Dirk Kuyt in the position he plays for Liverpool, between right midfield and right attack, and when they come through those games they have Romania. From then on Holland have to play a different game, they have to win matches, so Van Persie is more likely to start. Two draws will be OK against Italy and France but they will have to make the difference against Romania. Then you need a guy like Van Persie. He will be better prepared for the later part of the tournament when Holland will have to use a different, more attacking style."

How do you expect Van Persie and Holland to fare at Euro 2008?
"I think they are one of the favourites. I wouldn't be surprised if they get through the group phase with Italy or France going out. From there on it can go anywhere. I think all the 15 other teams fear the Dutch at the moment. It's up to the Dutch to see how far they can get. If Van Persie can grow into the event he can become one of the key players. He is one of those players who can force a result at any point of the game."

Do you see similar qualities to the victorious 1988 side?
"It is all in there. They have very ambitious and fit older players like Van Nistelrooy and Van der Sar. The problem with Van Nistelrooy in 2006 was that he had a very bad season at Manchester United. He came very frustrated into the camp so he couldn't bring what he usually brings to the national team, and he had a bad World Cup. But now he is ambitious, he is in form, and the same goes for Van der Sar. Then if you look at the youngsters of 2006 like Van der Vaart, Sneijder and Van Persie, they are more mature now. So Holland are a very serious contender." notas_de_prensa_archivo