When did you first hear about Arsenal’s interest in signing you?
I first heard in January, in the transfer window, that Arsenal said they were interested. The deal didn’t go through at that time but Arsenal said to me that they would keep watching me at Feyenoord. Steve Rowley [Arsenal’s Chief Scout] watched every game with his assistants and then towards the end of the season a few clubs were interested in me. Finally though Arsenal came back and when they did there was no decision to make - it was easy.
When Arsenal are interested, such a big club with big players, then you can make your decision easily. I can learn from them every day, and you learn much faster training with big players.
Were you worried when the transfer didn’t go through in January?
Well I don’t think that Feyenoord handled it very well, but that’s life. I wanted to go to Arsenal — I said it then, I’m saying it now. And now I’m here so I’m happy.
So why did you leave Feyenoord, the club you had been at since the age of 13?
I had been at Feyenoord for nearly eight years, and I had one more year on my contract left, but I had already decided that I wouldn’t sign another.
I was always playing on the left wing at Feyenoord, and naturally I am a player who plays as the striker, or the second striker. At Feyenoord it was hard for me because we had a difficult time last year so I couldn’t play very well on the left wing. I didn’t get the ball much out there, I wasn’t involved enough in the play and that was one of the reasons why I wanted to leave.
Also some people in the club and myself had a few disagreements and in the end I said ‘ok, I’ve had a nice time here, but it’s time to go, and when a nice club comes for me, I’ll go.’
They were a little unhappy with it because they wanted to keep me, but also they knew that I only had one year left on my contract.
So your favoured position is behind the striker, and is it true that you’re also something of a set piece specialist?
All my life at Feyenoord I took the free-kicks and all the corners, from right and left. At Arsenal they have good players for set-pieces already, but when they need me to do that, I can.
What were your first impressions of the Training Ground and of your new team mates?
Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. While I’ve been over here, Steve Rowley and Paul Irwin from the Club, and all of the players, they’ve been great. These are big players, in my mind some of the biggest in the world, but they are all so normal and so nice to me. They understand that I am new and young, they have helped me to settle in and made me welcome:
Kolo Toure said to me: “Anything you want to ask, just come to me.” I really like that. It’s a very nice group.
What did you know about Arsenal before you signed?
I knew a lot. Back at home I have a TV channel that I can see every game from England, Spain, France, Germany and Italy so I watch a lot of football, and a lot of it is Arsenal.
I think this has been one of the best years ever for Arsenal. I have followed them over the years, in fact I follow a few teams, but I think this has been a great year.
Are you aware too of the Dutch influence at Arsenal, obviously led by Dennis Bergkamp?
Yeah I have signed for four years and hopefully I will settle and stay for a long time. I know next year will be Dennis’ tenth year at the Club, I would love to be able to do that too.
Dennis Bergkamp was someone I looked at when I was growing up. I just like watching football, I watch a lot of it, and have tapes of good players. I don’t really have just one idol, but I did like Maradona when I was young. But last year I was watching a tape of Dennis Bergkamp from his time at Ajax, and I have to say that; didn’t know he was so good. It was before my time really, and I look forward to training here with him.
I’ve already said hello to him, he’s very nice, but everybody has been.
What about London, had you been here before signing?
No, this is my first time. Paul Irwin from the Club showed me around some places yesterday, and I looked at a few houses. It’s very expensive! In Holland you can get a nice house at a good price, here it is unbelievable and I didn’t know about that before. That’s life though, I moved to London for Arsenal, not for a house. There are many houses, and there are many football clubs, but there is only one like Arsenal and that’s why I’m here.
I’m here to play football, not to worry about anything else.
Will you be moving over with any of your family?
Yes, my girlfriend, or actually my wife as she is now. I’m married now, just recently. In Holland nobody knows about that yet, but now you are the first to know.
Everybody can know now, she is a good girl, and she’ll come over with me. Also my father, and a good friend will be coming over too, they will be here quite often, and my wife’s friends will come over every now and then too. It’s not too far from home, five or six hours drive or 50 minutes on the plane. Anyway I’m not a guy who worries too much about that. If I’m training well and playing well, then I’m happy — everything is fine.
Did you grow up in Rotterdam?
Yes, I was born there and I spent my whole life there. I’m looking forward to getting to know a new town. I like travelling and when I go on vacation I always try to visit different places. I like what I’ve seen of London. I don’t really get homesick, or miss my own country too much, so I’m looking forward to it.
Tell us about your time at Feyenoord. You won the UEFA Cup, you were Young Player of the Year in Holland, and a Dutch Under-21 International, is that right?
Yes and also I captained the Dutch Under-21 team. I had a good time in Holland, but yes there were a few ups and a few downs. I think that’s normal though. On the whole it was a good time, although I am a little bit disappointed with a few people over there, but that’s life. The Feyenoord door is now closed, I’m opening a new door at Arsenal. I’m moving on and what’s in the past has gone, I remember only the good things.
