[size=6]Van Persie - We'll put this defeat behind us[/size]

Robin van Persie was feeling low after Saturday's defeat at Queens Park Rangers but he is certain that Arsenal's spirits will soar in time for the visit of Manchester City.

The Dutchman saw his side's seven-match winning streak come to an end at Loftus Road thanks to goals in either half from Adel Taarabt and Samba Diakite. Arsenal remain in third place but they are now level on points with Tottenham, who beat Swansea City on Sunday.

It might have been a different story had Van Persie not been denied by a brilliant save from QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny but the captain is adamant that Arsenal will put Saturday's setback behind them.

"Everyone is disappointed but towards the end of the week I am sure the spirit will be how it was," Van Persie told Arsenal Player. "We’ll have a couple of days to be disappointed but after that our focus is on Manchester City.

"It is a shame we have wait eight days for the game, but it is how it is. Losing at QPR is a big blow but we have to look forward and the next one is a big one.

"Man City are second but drew [on Saturday] so they will need the points. We have seven big games to play but if you look at the big-name teams then we have City and Chelsea. As a fan of football I always love to play those games and one of them is next week.

"We have seven more games to play and I believe we can come third. It won’t be easy, everyone is fighting for every point and our opportunity is next week.

"Even last week when we were three points ahead [in third] with eight games left we never thought it was done. [Tottenham and] Chelsea won and came closer but we have to look at ourselves."
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/van-persie-we-ll-put-this-defeat-behind-us

Great news about Jack Wilshere everybody.

Apparently he is set to play in a behind closed doors friendly against Birmingham reserves tonight.

Will be an unbelievable boost to have him back when he does come back. The fact that he is apparently fit enough to at least play in this friendly is great news. Imagine the boost we'd get having him at least on the bench for the Chelsea match.

Thought the game was tonight, I'm now shattered :(. In other news, "Sydneycroatia58", you seem to be venturing a fair bit into AF these days, Western Sydney fan?

:lol: :lol:

Wasn't quite as bad as when Eboue saved from Bendtner on the line against Liverpool in the UCL 1/4 final.

http://i.imgur.com/WEl5j.jpg

:lol: I love this picture. Perfectly displays the horror on Vermaelens face the moment he knows he saved Robin's header

Have to take my hat off to Arsenal, after the 8-2 result I was seriously questioning a top 7 finish. I know a few teams have blown up like Chelsea and Spurs which have played a part in Arsenal's climb but to be in 3rd is a hell of an achievement I reckon. I don't think Arsenal are the 3rd best team in the league but have nothing but praise for them over the past 3 months.

I don't think Arsenal are the 3rd best team in the league but have nothing but praise for them over the past 3 months.

If Chelsea didn't have that saga with AVB and Harry and the England job didn't shift the focus I think they would be above Arsenal. Arsenal have just been there to pounce and credit to them.

I still have Tottenham and Chelsea above Arsenal.

I know we say the league table doesn't lie but to be honest it can, just look at the A-League, there is no way CCM are better than Brisbane. If Chelsea didn't have that saga with AVB and Harry and the England job didn't shift the focus I think they would be above Arsenal. Arsenal have just been there to pounce and credit to them.

And if we didn't have all the distractions in the off season we might not have had the horror start to the season we did. I think we deserve to be third, Chelsea and Spurs haven't been in the best of form lately but neither were we at the start of the season. All three sides have been through the good and the bad in equal measure this season and we're the side that's come out on top and are higher in the league (at the moment). Chelsea are a dwindling force and when you compare a full strength Arsenal side to a full strength Spurs side, the only players I would take from Spurs would be Modric, Bale and Parker. We've beaten both Chelsea and Spurs this season and we've just won 8 out of 9 games, I fully believe we deserve to be 3rd at the moment.

Edited by gooner4life_8: 10/4/2012 11:23:01 AM