Van Persie
| credits: File copy
| credits: File copy
Robin van Persie scored on his return to Arsenal as newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester United drew 1-1 at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
On his first appearance back at his former home since last summer’s £24m move to Old Trafford, the Dutchman converted a penalty late in the first half to cancel out Theo Walcott’s early opener.
Arsenal had given United a guard of honour before kick-off after Sir Alex Ferguson’s team won the league on Monday and the gesture passed without any controversy despite all the pre-match speculation.
But that Van Persie was the man to equalise only added to the frustration of Arsenal’s fans, who had booed their former hero throughout and ended the game aware they had missed a chance to open daylight over derby rivals Tottenham in the battle for the top four.
Inevitably, with just two minutes on the clock, Van Persie was involved in the opening goal but it was not in the manner the 29-year-old would have hoped as he unwittingly helped his former club take the lead.
Slipping when attempting a cross-field pass on the halfway line, Van Persie gave Arsenal the ball before Tomas Rosicky was able to play in Walcott, who was allowed to finish despite appearing to be marginally offside when one-on-one with David de Gea.
Meanwhile, Reading and Queens Park Rangers were relegated to the Championship after a scrappy goalless draw between the Premier League’s bottom two clubs.
