Wenger:"Van Persie is more of a goalscorer than Bergkamp"

The Holland forward is Arsenal's leading scorer with 13 goals, and was named captain for the FA Cup third-round tie against Plymouth.

Wenger believes Van Persie, signed from Feyenoord in May 2004, has started to tap his potential.

"At the start we gave him Dennis Bergkamp as a role model and he is growing into that role very well," said the Arsenal boss.

"He is more of a goalscorer than Dennis and I think he has developed his vision and passing well."

Wenger added: "Robin is passionate about the game."

"He was a little bit sidelined in Holland when we bought him and [during the] first year we observed him when he was more on the bench. In fact, we watched him more in the reserves than in the first team.

"When he arrived here it was a big move for him physically and mentally, however I believe he has survived because of his talent and his intelligence but mainly because of his passion for the game.