Arsenal will `respect` Van Persie in Manchester United clash, insists Wenger

London: Arsene Wenger insists that Arsenal will treat Robin van Persie with respect when the striker faces his old club on Sunday.

The Netherlands international is set to visit the Emirates Stadium for the first time since leaving the club for Manchester United last summer and is likely to be welcomed with a traditional guard of honour as a Premier League champion, while the Gunners are locked in a battle to finish in the top four. However, though the home fans are set to jeer the striker, Wenger is adamant that the former Arsenal star will be treated well by his old club. "We will respect the players that have played for us a long time as we always have done and treat them well before and after the game," he told the media. "As a champion or not as a champion it is exactly the same. "What I want is for us to have a good game and to beat them; it doesn`t matter what kind of status they come with. We`ll see." Goal.com