Robin van Persie pays tribute to ‘footballing father’ Arsene Wenger

Robin van Persie has wished Arsene Wenger well for the future after the Arsenal manager confirmed he would be leaving his post at the end of the season.

Wenger has been in charge for 22 years at the north London club, winning three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups along the way. In a statement released by Arsenal on Friday morning he explained that, after careful consideration, he would be stepping down from his position. Wenger signed Van Persie as a relatively unknown youngster from Feyenoord in 2004. By the time he left for Manchester United eight years later, he had established himself as one of the best strikers in world football. In two tweets sent later on Friday, the Dutchman expressed his gratitude towards Wenger who he described as his 'footballing father'. 'Thanks Arsene for all your confidence in me over the years,' Van Persie wrote. 'You are a very special man and a top coach! Definitely one of the very best ever!' 'I will always see you as my footballing father where under your guidance I had the chance to grow as a man and a player, I'm forever thankful for that and wish you all the very best for the next chapter in your life!' https://twitter.com/Persie_Official/status/987290350887866368 https://twitter.com/Persie_Official/status/987290963893800960