Filed under: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Champions League, Premier League, Football
Normally, Chelsea would be delighted to be put in the same bracket as Barcelona and as Champions League rivals might even see it as their right. But those of a Stamford Bridge persuasion won't have been too flattered by Robin van Persie's view of their similarities: Arsenal's Netherlands striker has branded them both a bunch of moaners.
Van Persie lit the blue touch paper for the remainder of the Premier League title race by claiming Chelsea spend far too much time complaining to referees, labelling such behaviour as "annoying" and "unsporting".
Of course, the forward's controversial sending off for kicking the ball away when Arsenal's Champions League tie Barcelona was in the balance remains firmly lodged in his consciousness but entertainingly he found room to have a pop at Chelsea too, who are now directly behind the second place Gunners in the table.
"Barcelona's players have the habit of whingeing about everything, and that is disappointing," van Persie whinged while holding a news conference with the Dutch national team. "In England, Chelsea's players behave in the same way."
And that wasn't all. Van Persie criticised Chelsea and Manchester City for buying their way to success, in contrast to Arsenal's more frugal spending and an emphasis on bringing younger talent through the ranks.
"I still strongly believe in my club's philosophy," he said. "A club like Manchester City change their philosophy every year and Chelsea spent about £80 million this season.
"Two clubs who had a big mouth before the season, thinking that Arsenal wouldn't play a role in the title race but we are still ahead of them. And just by playing our own game, through our own philosophy."
The Premier League title remains Arsenal's only hope of silverware this season following three cup exits in quick succession but van Persie was confident a six-year trophy drought would not be extended too far into the future.
"We always do our best at Arsenal and always want to win," he said. "On a number of occasions we have been very close but, at the last moment, it's often not good enough. That's the reality. It's very frustrating when you lose, especially as a team when we're so close. But we have to look forward and now it's up to us to change all that. I firmly believe in the team, Arsenal and myself and I'm positive we will win prizes."
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/03/25/robin-van-persies-scatter-gun-outburst-targets-arsenals-rivals/
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