“I see similarities positional-wise with Messi. He comes deep, he likes to turn up front as well," Wenger told reporters,
Van Persie scored his 100th Gunners goal at the weekend as he netted a brace in the comfortable 3-0 win over 10-man Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates. The Dutch striker’s achievement is made all the more impressive considering he started his career at the club predominantly as a winger, before he adapted his game to become a main frontman.
The French manager sees similarities between his No.10 and Messi, who netted a staggering 53 goals for the European champions last season.
"Like Messi he doesn't play like a real center forward but when you look at his movement around the box he is very intelligent and goes on diagonal runs," said Wenger. "I always thought his first touch was so good that he can make a difference even in a tight space."
He added, “He has matured from the boy who was a little bit emotionally impulsive when he arrived to the guy who is here today. That was difficult to predict. But he is intelligent, speaks his mind and you can speak to him as well. He takes advice and overall he has developed very well."
The 28-year-old reportedly looked for reassurance from Wenger about the club’s direction following the sales of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, but while he understands that, the manager dismissed speculation that the Dutchman is going to be the next one out of the door.
“If you are in Robin's place and you see Nasri going, Fabregas going, then you can be worried of course," Wenger rationalized. “But now he is on the way out? No, I don't think that really. Robin is not from Barcelona."
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