At Stamford Bridge, Real Madrid and in Bavaria, one of the chief threats to Arsenal in north London on Tuesday night has developed a sharp sense of the importance of fighting spirit.
Robben has played under Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and Jupp Heynckes – and will soon take orders from Pep Guardiola — so his view of Arsène Wenger’s troubles is especially valuable ahead of the Champions League round of 16 first leg. In an interview at the Bayern training ground he said of Arsenal’s recent problems: “I can understand it, the disappointment. Eight years without a trophy is a very, very long time.”
He was not putting the boot into Wenger’s men. But when he recounts his memories of playing for and against big Premier League characters he compares Arsenal’s current state unfavourably with the Gunners he encountered in his early days at Chelsea.
“If you look to the team who won the trophies – with [Thierry] Henry and [Dennis] Bergkamp – they had a great side, with [Patrick] Vieira, and they also played nice football. They’re still a team you can enjoy because every time they try to play some nice football, but I can also understand the fans because they want some trophies.”
Robben, 29, watched his Holland team-mate, Robin van Persie, flee to Manchester United and ascribed the move to a desire to win prizes that would have stayed out of reach at Arsenal. He said: “I think in the end for the real Arsenal supporters it was a shame, it was very disappointing that he left the club. But on the other hand everybody understands his choice, that he also wants to win titles, and at Arsenal at the moment it’s going to be very difficult.”