This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie has given a glowing tribute to his former manager Arsene Wenger, placing him above Sir Alex Ferguson in his tier of influential managers.
Speaking during an interview with Sportbible, Van Persie credited Wenger with helping him develop from a young age, saying he was the one who worked with him and gave him chance after chance.
"The biggest influence must be Wenger, because he was the one who worked with me. I came in as a kid and he helped me develop. He saw something in me. Sometimes I messed up. I got a silly red card or - as kids do - I made mistakes. But he still gave me another chance. Chance after chance sometimes," he said.
Van Persie joined Arsenal in 2004 as a promising 21-year-old and made significant development under Wenger's guidance. However, he never won the title under Wenger, as he arrived just as the Gunners had ended celebrations of their famous invincibles season.
On the other hand, Van Persie won the title with Manchester United at his very first season with the club (2012/2013) under Ferguson, whom he described as special.
"Sir Alex was at a different time because I came as a mature player. But I'm very happy to have worked with those two great managers - only a couple of players can say they worked under both!" he said.
