Van Persie revels in Arsenal captaincy

Robin van Persie says he was honoured to be given the Arsenal captaincy, but insists it has not changed the way he plays for the club.

Despite the pride of taking the armband from Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabragas, the Dutchman claimed that he has always played as part of a team rather than as an individual.

He believes that, with the way Arsenal are set up, the captaincy is no more than a title with numerous leaders on and off of the field helping out the youngsters and those struggling to find form.

“I don’t think it changed me a lot in the way I am because I believe you should always stay the same,” he told the club’s official website.

“I think the only thing that has changed for me is that it has been made official.

“Before that I was always helping people out where I could because we all help each other out, it’s not only me. This is the way our club is.

“I do realise that some stuff starts with me but that counts for every single person for themselves as well.

“Good behaviour starts from yourself. If you expect that from other people, you should start by yourself and be helpful to everyone else.

“That has nothing to do with the captaincy, it is the way you should be. Everybody should try to be positive and try to help each other out. I don’t think I am the main starter in all of that.”

Van Persie did, however, say he was honoured to be put amongst names like Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira as skippers of the north London club.

“I was very proud, obviously,” he said. “If you look at the history of Arsenal captains, being part of that is a very special feeling.

“It makes me proud because Arsenal is a massive club. You look at Tony Adams, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Cesc Fabregas – those guys were proper captains. I like it, it feels comfortable and not weird.”