Photo by Hans van der Valk/BSR Agency/Getty Images

News

FeaturedNewsArsenalEnglish Premier League

What Robin van Persie once said about becoming Arsenal’s manager ahead of potential Champions League reunion

Shamanth Jayaram

Thu 20 February 2025 21:15, UK Updated Fri 21 February 2025 9:30, UK

Robin van Persie could be back at the Emirates soon to take on Arsenal in the Champions League.

The Dutchman spent eight years as a Gunner and played more games for the North Londoners than any other club in his career.

Van Persie is a manager now and is at the helm at Heerenveen, but he is now set to take charge of one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands.

David Ornstein revealed that Feyenoord are closing in on appointing Van Persie as their manager, and there is a chance that his first game in the Champions League could be against Arsenal.

What Robin van Persie once said about becoming Arsenal manager

The Champions League Round of 16 draw is scheduled to take place on Friday, and Arsenal will face one of two teams.

The Gunners could be drawn against PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord, who knocked AC Milan out of the competition in the play-offs.

If Arsenal do get Feyenoord as their next opponents in the Champions League, Van Persie is set to return to the Emirates, and the 41-year-old will likely get a very hostile reception.

The Dutchman left Arsenal and joined Manchester United in 2012 and won the league there. He scored against Arsene Wenger’s side and celebrated, and he has had a lot to say about the Gunners over the years as well.

Among the things he has spoken about is a potential return to the Emirates as the manager. Van Persie accused Arsenal fans of being ‘sensitive’ and claimed that it is very unlikely that he will ever manage the North London giants.

He told Sportcast in November last year: “I don’t expect to work at Arsenal. I think that door is closed. Because of my switch to Manchester United, that is my assessment. You never know in football, but that is my assessment.

“It is still sensitive for them, not for me. It is especially sensitive for the Arsenal fans. I have learned that planning so far ahead makes no sense at all. I don’t want that either. I mainly live in the here and now.

“I really enjoy it here and I am very proud to be the coach of SC Heerenveen. I feel I feel very welcome within the club and among the fans. I also think that is important that you feel welcome.”

READ MORE: Arsene Wenger once compared Robin van Persie to an Arsenal legend

Van Persie’s record as a manager compared to Mikel Arteta in 2024/25

Van Persie managed Feyenoord’s youth teams for a few years before getting his big break to become the manager of Herenveen’s first team last summer.

The Dutchman had a shocking start to the 2024/25 season. His side didn’t win any of their first six games, but Van Persie has turned things around slightly since.

Here’s how his side’s numbers compare to that of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

As the table shows above, Arteta’s Arsenal have been levels above Van Persie’s Heerenveen, but at Feyenoord, the Dutchman will have better players.

However, the Gunners will still back themselves to get the better of the Eredivisie side if they are drawn against them on Friday.

As for Arsenal fans, they would love nothing more than to inflict some pain on Van Persie after everything he has said about them over the years.