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Manchester United's Robin van Persie celebrates after scoring a hat-trick against Southampton during their English Premier League match at Saint Mary's Stadium in Southampton. (Reuters)
Arsenal have travelled to Old Trafford often, but never with the fear of being destroyed by one of their own.
Several reports prior to today’s clash between Manchester United and Arsenal suggest only one thing – Robin Van Persie is set to destroy his old club, of which he was captain, no less.
Suggestions are that Sir Alex Ferguson could revert to the diamond formation with Van Persie alone upfront, just to stifle the likes of Santi Cazorla in midfield.
Reports that Van Persie turned down more money from Manchester City to join United will only anger Gunner fans.
Several United players have come out in praise of the Dutch hitman who has been on red-hot form this season.
Speaking to United Review, Rio Ferdinand said, “He's done really well," said Rio. "He's come in with no airs and graces about him - that's the first thing you notice.
“He's come into a really down-to-earth changing room; there's no way anybody could come in as the big 'I am' and that's definitely not in his make-up.
"He's a really nice guy. The best way you can settle in at a new club is to get on with the other lads and he's done that straight away.
“Going on from that, you've obviously got to be able to put your foot on the ball and put the ball in the back of the net, and you can't ask him to have done any more than he has."
With nine goals and four assists in his 12 United appearances so far, Van Persie seems set to shoot Arsenal down.
This is why it seems overly kind of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to suggest that the club's supporters travelling to Old Trafford give RVP a 'respectful' reception.
"I hope he gets a respectful reception," said Wenger. "We campaign against discrimination of all varieties and it is the same when you disrespect players, Saturday is not about Van Persie. It is about us getting a result.
"I am not surprised he has been a success with United so far. He makes intelligent runs, he is a great finisher. I said before it seemed strange to see him scoring goals for Manchester United, but this is football. We made a decision to sell Robin, he decided to join United, that's it," Wenger was quoted as saying by ESPN.com.
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