Robin van Persie: "Arsene Wenger is my football father"

Robin van Persie has hailed Arsene Wenger as his "football father" after the ex-Arsenal striker made a switch from Manchester United to Fenerbahce.

The former United star completed his switch to the Turkish side earlier this week to end an 11-year career in England, and the Netherlands international paid tribute to Gunners boss Wenger.

The Express quotes Wenger as saying: "Arsene Wenger is my football father. He raised me from being a little kid, as a footballer. What he does, for players young and old, is create an environment where you feel the trust like one big family.

"People think there was an argument between us.. On the contrary we always had a lot of respect for each other. We just had some different views at the time and I'm still talking to Arsene regularly now. He is a world class coach and manager and above all, a classy man.

"Trust, respect, that goes two ways. That's what Arsene gives, what Sir Alex (Ferguson) gives, that's what the great managers give you."

Van Persie left Arsenal to join United in 2012 for around £25m.