• Premier League

Wenger is misusing Van Persie - Bergkamp

ESPN staff
October 11, 2011
Dennis Bergkamp: 'Robin van Persie is better in my old position' © PA Photos
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Arsenal are missing a predatory striker and their midfielders lack variety, according to club legend Dennis Bergkamp.

Bergkamp, who left the Gunners in 2006 after 11 years, has made the claim despite the prolific goalscoring form of his fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie. Bergkamp, now a coach at Ajax, reckons Van Persie would be better utilised in a deeper, more creative role.

"When I look at Robin van Persie, he is the front player, but he is better in my old position," Bergkamp told the Daily Mail. "They are missing an out-and-out goalscorer. Now they play with an extra midfielder instead [of two strikers, as was the case in Bergkamp's day]. The midfielders are all the same sort of players. You need one who wants to get in behind Van Persie."

The 42-year-old is confident that boss Arsene Wenger will arrest Arsenal's current slump, but says the club need more leadership behind the scenes. On that topic, he has bemoaned the Gunners' failure to recruit Patrick Vieira, who is now working in a youth development role at Manchester City, where he ended his playing career.

"I know [Wenger] is the one who will be struggling the most," Bergkamp said. "But with his experience, it'll be OK. There was talk of Patrick going to Arsenal over the summer. I would have done everything possible to get him there. Just to get him in and around the dressing room. It would have brought so much to the team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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