Former Arsenal scout Damien Comolli says Arsene Wenger was always going to knock the edges off Robin van Persie's game.

The Manchester United striker is a contender for this season's Player of the Year.

Comolli told the Daily Express: "Steve Rowley [Arsenal's chief scout] knew about Van Persie and I watched him once and he was sent off after five minutes against Utrecht.

"He was frustrated at not playing enough at Feyenoord, but Arsene Wenger was the right man to sort out the things people criticised Robin for."