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| Robin van Persie credits Patrick Vieira with teaching him how to deal with pressure |
ROBIN VAN PERSIE has revealed how Patrick Vieira taught him how to deal with pressure in football during their time at Arsenal.
Van Persie left Manchester United in July for Fenerbahce but has struggled in Turkey, and has not featured in the starting line-up for a Super Lig clash since September 13.
The 32-year-old has also been stripped of the Netherlands team captaincy by Danny Blind after a poor Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
However former Feyenoord man is determined not to let adversity affect him, revealing he learned how to remain strong from his former Arsenal team-mate Vieira.
"When you're young you don't know how to deal with situations like this," Van Persie told the Daily Mirror.
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| Van Persie has struggled this season in Turkey with Fenerbahce |
"But let me explain who was my guide to a great balance in life. Patrick Vieira showed me how to stay mentally strong and cope with all the pressures.
"My first season at Arsenal was Patrick's last. There were lots of stories about him going to Real Madrid. There was so much happening around this guy, it was incredible, and yet he was a tower of strength and an icon of calmness.
"He just remained our natural leader. Nothing could affect him. He was totally in balance, he was on top of everything and felt he could master it all.
"As a young player I was completely in awe of him. I admired that mental strength in him, and I think everybody else did."
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