Why RVP is so worried for Arsenal

Robin Van Persie has seen it all before. Which is why he is probably worried. He has seen Arsenal rise to great heights and plumb to amazing depths – sometimes all in the space of one game. He has scored almost at will, is the Premier League’s top scored and yet, Arsenal have nothing to show for it. Unless they now finish in third place – above Tottenham Hotspur. Which is why RVP is sounding the alarm. Arsenal have face Chelsea later this month after City and with a resurgent Tottenham on their back, RVP said they must beat Manchester City on Sunday to hang on to third. Van Persie said: "The next one is a big one against City. If we want third we have to beat them. It's as simple as that. "We have seven games left and playing big-name teams like City and Chelsea are games I like to play in as a fan of football. It won't be easy, everyone is fighting for every point." Meanwhile Spurs have joined in the mind games. Van Persie’s Holland team-mate Rafael Van Der Vaart says Arsenal will be feeling the pressure after another dramatic weekend. Spurs beat Swansea 3-1 at White Hart Lane to go back level with the Gunners, after Arsene Wenger's side suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at struggling QPR on Saturday. Arsenal remain in third on goal difference – one goal. Van der Vaart said: "I hope Arsenal are getting nervous. It's a big battle — Chelsea also keep winning — and it's not going to be easy to lead from the front. "I'm confident we can finish third. But I said a few weeks ago 12 points is a lot and we were going to stay in third! Tottenham face no big clubs in their run-in.