Holland squad selected for the upcoming friendlies

Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie are among a strong 21-man Holland squad selected for the upcoming friendlies against Indonesia and China which also features four debutants.

It will mean an extended end to the season for Robben, who will feature for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.



Van Persie will have had a little more rest after the English Premier League season finished last Sunday with the striker having been part of Manchester United's title-winning team.



It was the 29-year-old's first silverware since he won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2005.



Other established players called up by manager Louis van Gaal include Fenerbahce's Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder of Galatasaray and Hamburg's Rafael van der Vaart.



Van Gaal has, though, handed first call-ups to Lerin Duarte, Miquel Nelom, Dwight Tiendalli and Jens Toornstra.



The Oranje travel to Jakarta to take on Indonesia on Friday June 7 before moving on to Beijing where they will face China the following Tuesday, June 11.



Holland squad:

Michel Vorm (Swansea), Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Jasper Cillessen (Ajax); John Heitinga (Everton), Erik Pieters, Dwight Tiendalli (Swansea), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Miquel Nelom (Feyenoord); Lerin Duarte (Heracles Almelo), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Jens Toornstra, Ruben Schaken (Feyenoord), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg); Siem de Jong (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens, Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Sporting Lisbon).

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RVP told to ignore boo boys

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Robin van Persie to ignore the Arsenal boo-boys when he returns to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.



Van Persie completed a controversial £24million switch from Arsenal to Manchester United in the summer and has proved the major difference in this season's title race, taking his tally to 24 Premier League goals with Monday's hat-trick against Aston Villa.



But his appearance in north London this weekend is unlikely to go down well given he will soon be collecting the championship winners' medal he did not feel was realistic at Arsenal.



And though Arsene Wenger has confirmed his players will form a guard of honour in tribute to United's achievement, Van Persie's presence is bound to antagonise a section of the long-suffering Gunners support, who have now gone eight seasons since their team last won a trophy.



Under such circumstances, Ferguson's advice is for Van Persie not to allow the baiting to get to him.

"I don't bother about it, and I don't think Robin should bother about it either," said Ferguson.



"There was a bit of booing when he played at Old Trafford and I expect a portion of fans will do that.



"That is the modern generation I am afraid.



"For Arsenal to have one of their players go to their biggest rivals of the last 20 years doesn't sit well with their fans, nor Arsene for that matter.



"But it does happen. You just have to move on. Arsenal have moved on now. They are challenging for a Champions League place and have every chance of getting one."

Van Persie's contribution to the United cause can hardly be overstated.



Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has repeated countless times the Dutchman has been the major difference in this season's battle for honours.



His brilliant volley against Villa had the hallmark of class stamped all over it.



And, after taking such a leap of faith by joining United, Ferguson could see how much winning the title meant to Van Persie when the final whistle blew.

"It showed in his celebrations, not just after he had scored the goals but at the end of the match," said Ferguson.



"We had a few players who were winning it for the first time but he was celebrating better than the others."

And evidently, Van Persie's team-mates are equally delighted for the striker, who has more than lived up to the star billing he was granted upon his arrival last August.

"I don't know if he has exceeded expectations," said Ryan Giggs.



"We all knew what he was capable of but sometimes you don't realise just by playing against someone how good they actually are.



"When you train with them every day and play with them every week it is different.



"That has definitely been the case with Robin. We knew about his goalscoring. But it is his all-round play. He has been absolutely brilliant. Long may that continue."

With Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck keen to play some part and Tom Cleverley in contention to fill a midfield berth that could release Wayne Rooney into a more advanced position, there is an outside chance Van Persie might not start on Sunday.



Ferguson has vowed to play a strong side though out of respect to Arsenal's fellow top-four contenders Tottenham and Chelsea.



However, he acknowledged with gratitude Arsene Wenger's confirmation United will be afforded a guard of honour as they make their way onto the pitch.

"I am glad Arsene has done that," said the Scot.



"When they came to Old Trafford in 2002 and Sylvain Wiltord scored the only goal, we did exactly the same," he said.



"That is what great clubs should do."

Wenger calls for respect for former star

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that the Gunners will respect former player Robin van Persie on his return to the Emirates on Sunday.



The Dutchman left the club last season after eight years service at the club, and it was his hat-trick on Monday night that saw Manchester United crowned English league champions for the 20th time.



Monday’s achievement means that Arsenal will clap United onto the pitch before the game in a guard of honour, which is likely to anger the fans, who are still bitter over the van Persie affair.



Poznan



Rumours circulating on Twitter last night suggested that Arsenal fans will do a Manchester City style ‘Poznan’ when United walk onto to the pitch. Take a look at the video below which shows Arsenal imitating the Poznan last year in a 1-0 victory over Man City.



Wenger however has stated that the £24million man will not be disrespected by his former employees.

“We will respect the players that have played for us a long time as we always have done and treat them well before and after the game,” Wenger said, as reported by The Independent.



“As a champion or not as a champion it is exactly the same. What I want is for us to have a good game and to beat them, it doesn’t matter what kind of status they come with.”

Arsenal must be careful not to be distracted by the return of the Flying Dutchman, as a victory is needed to keep themselves in the top four.



Focus

“Their players are of the highest level, you can’t just focus on one player because their team is full of players who can create and score,” Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal said, as reported by the newspaper.



“We must be on our guard and be aware of certain key players, like Robin, who has scored a sack of goals this year and is playing well. He is one of their main threats."

RVP: Team triumph

Robin van Persie insisted that the plaudits should be shared equally after his first-half hat-trick against Aston Villa wrapped up a 20th league title for Manchester United.

The Dutchman's treble - including a goal of the season contender - took his league tally for the season to 24 but he was more interested in the overall prize than personal landmarks.

"It doesn't matter who scored, as long as we won the game. From the first minute, everyone played well and it was great to score so early and a great win for us," he told Sky Sports after the 3-0 victory.

"I am very happy but it is weird. I had to wait so long for my first title. It is a great feeling. It is a fantastic team and fantastic players.

"It is a championship for every single one of them. The staff, the managers, the physios. This is our 20th title, it is deserved.

Van Persie's second goal had the crowd off their feet - a breath-taking left-foot volley as he latched onto a long-range pass from Wayne Rooney.

"It was a great ball from Wayne," he added. "So the only thing I had to do was guide it right and hit it properly and it went in great but more important was the result.

"The second goal was one the best goals. I only had to time it right. Let me enjoy this moment, the next game is against Arsenal, but let me enjoy this moment."


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Ferguson salutes Van Persie

Sir Alex Ferguson on Wayne Rooney :"Wayne was brilliant and he needed a different role to get his confidence back. There has been a bit of criticism, a few doubters"

Sir Alex Ferguson: "That was my 900th win in charge of Man Utd? I wish it was 1000! The players deserve credit for their character."



Sir Alex Ferguson on Robin Van Persie : "Van Persie nearly killed me with his celebration - he forgets I'm 71! He did ever so well for the penalty, though."



“It was a great celebration it brought the emotions of the fans and the players together, he really did celebrate that” -Ferguson on RvP.



RVP on 'that hug': "I wanted to celebrate with the players and the staff because they have been there for me."