Former Feyenoord star Danko Lazovic has claimed he knew Robin Van Persie would be a star at Arsenal after just one training session with him in the Netherlands.
Van Persie spent eight years with the Gunners after a £4.05m move from Feyenoord in 2004, eventually joining Manchester United in August 2012.
He was a huge hit at the Emirates before that move, which undoubtedly tarnished his legacy at the club, making 278 appearances in all competitions for the London side and scoring 132 goals and 58 assists in total.
There was also success on the field too, with an FA Cup success in 2004-05 and the FA Community Shield in 2004, as well a runners up medal in the Champions League in 2005-06.
It wasn’t until a few years into his time with the club that he established himself as a star for Arsenal and the Netherlands, with 2011-12 seeing him finish at the top goalscorer in the Premier League and finish in the PFA Team of the Year.
“No not at all,” he told De Telegraaf when asked if he was surprised by Van Persie’s success at Arsenal and Manchester United.
“Robin van Persie was not only a phenomenal talent but also a really good guy.
“Maybe it sounds exaggerated, but I really knew from the first training session that this boy was going to have a great career.
“I had a great relationship with him. I loved training with him anyway because I enjoyed the things he did.
“And I wasn’t the only one who realised how good he already was. Robin was a great player but at the same time a great person.”
