Arsenal ace Robin van Persie has given up the No9 Holland shirt to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to keep the Schalke striker from throwing a wobbler.

Van Persie has scored 26 goals in 64 international games for Holland.

Huntelaar has scored 31 in 52 matches for his country. Van Persie says: "Huntelaar is a real striker. He has developed into a real goal scorer.

"But I have proven at Arsenal ­during the last eight years that I can play well in the role of striker too. I think we are both very good number nines."

Van Persie even agreed to give the number nine shirt to ­Huntelaar.

"I had first choice," he revealed. "In the World Cup I had number nine. Now I decided to play with 16. That is the birth date of my son Shaqueel.

"At Arsenal I play with 10, that is the birth date of my daughter Dina.

"Just in case people look into that, they need not worry. I find those numbers more lucky than anything else.

"I know there is a national ­discussion going on. But I don't worry about anything. I feel better and stronger than I have ever done thanks to this season at Arsenal.

"I have run more miles than ­anyone, I have scored more goals than anyone in the Premier League and I have trained more hours than any player at Arsenal.

"I go into this tournament with no worries."