Arsene Wenger’s reply to Bergkamp’s suggestion that van Persie should change position

Earlier this week, Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp told the Daily Mail that Robin van Persie should be utilised in a much deeper role, at Arsenal.  Asked to comment about this during yesterday’s press conference, manager Arsene Wenger explained that the striker is a very versatile player who can play in every position of the pitch, adding that what is important is to pick a formation that suits the team and the qualities of each and every member of the squad.  The Arsenal boss correctly added that van Persie hit 26 goals in 32 games and this should be enough to understand that he is indeed used just where he should be used in his line-up.  But, the Frenchman also added that an open-minded approach is needed in football and that if a player can play in different positions then all the options should be evaluated as in fact van Persie was utilised on the left wing by his former club Feyenoord as a demonstration that he can indeed offer versatile options to the Arsenal offensive department.  On van Persie, Wenger said:      [Dennis Bergkamp believes Robin van Persie is playing in a wrong position?] Of course [I spoke with Robin about his position], it’s on the football pitch.      On the right, on the left, up front, behind the strikers, he can play everywhere, it’s as simple as that.      What is more suited to the team and adjusted to the qualities of the other players, it’s the best.      In this position he has scored 26 goals in 32 games so you cannot say he’s in a bad position because the numbers go against you.      But you have to be open-minded, he can play as well behind the striker or on the right or on the left.      When I bought him he played on the left, winger. At Feyenoord he was educated like that, you know, I put him central because he’s a quality player.