Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hit out at Dutch critics of Robin van Persie.

The Dutch football public want Van Persie dropped and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar selected as Holland's main striker.

Wenger said: "Robin van Persie deserves more credit in Holland than he gets. I think he was still the best striker at the European ­Championships.

"I watched all his games. If you look at the runs he made, his ­passing, everything really, was very good. He did not take some of his chances but that was down to tiredness. Robin is a class above other strikers. A class above Huntelaar."

Wenger who, after the Euros, will make a final attempt to get Van ­Persie to sign a new deal with the Gunners, went on: "Robin is not just a great striker or a great player. He is an exceptional player.

"He did not have to prove himself here. I can understand he wanted to prove that he can score goals for Holland. That is an obvious ambition because he is so intense, he loves the game so much."