Robin to face best friend in football

Robin van Persie
By Richard Clarke

Robin van Persie is likely to be up against one of his best friends in football when Arsenal entertain Cardiff in the FA Cup Third Round.

Glenn Loovens grew up with the 22-year-old striker back in Holland and they joined Feyenoord within a couple of years of each other. They rose through the ranks together before Van Persie departed for Arsenal in the summer of 2004. Loovens is still registered with the Rotterdam club but is enjoying his loan spell with the Ninian Park side. They will be reacquainted temporarily on Saturday.

“I laughed when the draw was made,” said Van Persie. “So many clubs, why Cardiff? I phoned him up straight away.

“I first played with Glenn at the age of eight. I went to Feyenoord when I was 12, he went when he was 10 I think. From the age of 13, we were playing in the same side all the time.

“We spoke to each other a lot about our dreams and I think it is a dream that we are both over here [in England] now.

“It is funny because I will be playing as a right-sided striker and he is playing as a left-sided centre back. We’ll be facing each other all the time during the game.

“It will be a strange feeling because I’ll be facing one of my old mates for the first time. I have played against PSV and Ajax but not Feyenoord so I am a bit excited about it.”

Van Persie laughed when asked if the pair had, as rumoured, wagered on the Arsenal striker breaching the Cardiff goal. That said, the humour will stop at 1pm on Saturday afternoon.

“Before the game and after the game he is my friend,” he said. “However for 90 minutes I don’t know him.

“But I know I am starting tomorrow and I hope he will as well.”

 Arsenal to win the FA Cup this season 5/1



[ 06 January 2006]