Gullit: Arsenal striker Van Persie as important as Van Basten

Ruud Gullit has likened Arsenal crock Robin van Versie to his former AC Milan and Holland teammate Marco van Basten.

Former Chelsea and Newcastle United manager Gullit believes that if Persie can get fit for the last few games of the season, he could emulate the extraordinary displays Van Basten produced at the 1988 European Championship, when Gullit captained the Holland team to victory.

"Robin's a very important player for us," said Gullit.

"Look at Arsenal struggling without him. But I’m thinking about what happened with Basten. He was injured throughout the season in 1988, but then at the end of the season he was fit again and the rest is history.

"He was great in the 1988 tournament. Ii think he only played the last game of the season for us that year so even if Robin were only back in April it would be possible to have a great World Cup."

 
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Comments (2)

Gullit has got dementia. Van Persie in the same class as Van Basten?! You're having a laugh!