October 27, 2014

Robin van Persie's love-in with Cesc Fabregas a sickener for Arsenal fans

Ivanovic didn't look too happy with the pre-match embrace (©SkySports).

Manchester United's Sunday showdown with Chelsea has the feeling of a mutual appreciation society before kick-off, with the intensity you would normally expect from a titanic tussle between traditionally fierce rivals definitely lacking in the tunnel just before kick-off.

Former team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie summed up that mood by finding the time to share an embrace prior to the Old Trafford clash, in a moment that will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of Arsenal fans who used to idolise the pair.

Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic certainly didn't look too impressed with their conduct and sent a scathing scowl in their direction, in a moment captured by the Sky Sports cameras ahead of a 1-1 draw in which Van Persie had the final say.

Love in shows how times have changed

Last weekend's stalemate was just over 10 years on from a far more infamous incident in the Old Trafford tunnel, a food fight between Arsenal and United enemies that saw Fabregas hurl a slice of pizza at Sir Alex Ferguson.

Hugs and kisses between those two sets of players would be almost unthinkable before or after a match, but a decade later and sharing tender moments with the opposition has now become commonplace.

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Tough for Arsenal fans to take

Fabregas and Van Persie continue to show Gunners supporters why their respective acrimonious exits were so difficult to take, both playing a key part in yesterday's latest battle between Chelsea and United.

Van Persie slammed home a vital late equaliser to end a frustrating afternoon in the best fashion possible, which cancelled out a Dider Drogba opener which was created by a pinpoint Fabregas cross.

The Spanish schemer now has eight assists in nine Premier League games this season, quite a haul for a man who Arsene Wenger turned down the chance to re-sign last summer.

After Mario Balotelli's headline-grabbing antics last week the former Gunners team-mates were clever enough not to swap shirts in front of the cameras, but the close friends just had to share a tender moment before the game with a hug that would have been enough for Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira to take instant action in their prime.

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