Former Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie believes Arsenal are better than Chelsea ahead of the Europa League final.
The Dutchman played 280 games for Arsenal during his eight-year stay at the club, where he scored over 130 goals and earned the captain’s armband. Van Persie controversially left the Emirates to join United in 2012 and he won the Premier League in his debut season.
Despite his strained relationship with Arsenal fans, Van Persie believes his former side have the edge over Chelsea in the final of the Europa League next week.
Van Persie said: “Personally, I think Arsenal have the edge. They’re a little bit better. But Chelsea have Eden Hazard and he is a very special player – at any time he can come up with something.”
The former Dutch international was also full of praise for Premier League champions Manchester City. But he believes Arsenal are still capable of challenging for a title they haven’t won since the Invincible campaign in 2004.
“Of course they can, yes, because they’re close already, they’ve been close for so many years,” he said.
“It goes in periods. Now you have Manchester City, who are doing unbelievable. To win back-to-back titles is very special – that shows, really, that you’re a proper team.”
Van Persie continued: “But it goes in phases. Maybe Pep Guardiola will leave next year and that does something to a club. Maybe Liverpool will take over and they will dominate for the next few years. But I hope and wish Arsenal all the best to win the title. I know how difficult it is.”
Having finished the season in fifth place, a massive 28 points behind Manchester City, Arsenal are a long way from winning the Premier League. But a Europa League victory would be a perfect way for Unai Emery to start the new era at the Emirates.
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