Robin van Persie reveals he 'wasn't even convinced' by main striker role at Arsenal

Robin van Persie has admitted he was far from confident he could play as a main striker, but now believes he can become even more lethal in front of goal.

Arsenal captain Van Persie has developed into one of the most feared centre-forwards in the world, and looks set to breach the 40-goal barrier for club and country this season.

The Holland star, 28, only began spearheading the Gunners attack almost three years ago after manager Arsene Wenger sold Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City.

Before then, Van Persie played almost exclusively as a second striker, the kind of role fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp made his own at the club.

"That was the idea from day one," Van Persie told Arsenal Player.

"I never really thought that I would end up as a main striker.

"I actually never played there before - I did it a couple of times at youth level but it was nothing really special.

"We only tried it when Adebayor went.

"The boss didn't buy someone else because he was convinced I could do it.

"I wasn't even convinced about it. I wasn't so sure, because I didn't really play there so much.

"Then, in pre-season, we had a game against Inter Milan. I scored a good goal, played well and he told me after the game, 'You see? It will work'.

"That was the first step to being a main striker.

"Sometimes, you just question yourself, if you're good enough at it. Those answers came.

"I have been for a while now convinced that I actually can play as a main striker. I just didn't know, and now I believe.

"Let's see where it ends. Let's see how far I can push myself, see where my maximum lies."

Van Persie's exploits have made him the heavy favourite to be crowned PFA Player of the Year on Sunday.

They have also made him one of the most coveted strikers in the world, with City, Barcelona and Real Madrid all linked with him.

Van Persie has only one year left on his Arsenal contract and has declared he will not make a decision about his long-term future until the end of the season.

Gunners fans will understandably be concerned at his presence at Barcelona's team hotel last night ahead of the Catalans' Champions League clash with Chelsea.

He was spotted talking to international team-mate Ibrahim Afellay and may also have been catching up with former Gunners team-mate Cesc Fabregas.

Van Persie extending his Arsenal contract may depend on how ambitious they are in the transfer market this summer, with the impending arrival of Germany star Lukas Podolski certainly a step in the right direction.

Wenger will be hoping Podolski settles as quickly as summer signing Andre Santos.

Brazilian left-back Santos has revealed how fellow new boy Mikel Arteta has done all he can to help him fit in.

"Mikel Arteta is Spanish and our languages are quite similar so he is helping me the most," Santos said.

"He is always giving me instructions about the Premier League. He played for Everton for a long time and arrived at Arsenal at the same time as I did so he helped me settle.

"We're always messing around in the changing room, on the pitch during the warm up.

"He's always saying something to make me laugh or calling me nicknames but it's always good-spirited, with no harm.

"We work together every day and need these moments of distraction.

"Us players always go out for dinner and social events together.

"I'm always doing something with Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, Robin van Persie, Mikel, Yossi Benayoun, Ignasi Miquel and others.

"This link between us off the pitch is very strong and it benefits the team on the pitch."

PA