Robin van Persie: Emmanuel Adebayor and I will be lethal partnership

Arsenal star Robin van Persie believes he and Emmanuel Adebayor will be the most lethal Premier League strike pairing this season.

Dutch forward Van Persie endured a frustrating time during the last campaign, as a knee injury limited him to nine goals in 23 games.

But he has returned to fitness and is excited about resuming his partnership with Adebayor, 24, after the Togo striker promised to sign a new contract.

And Van Persie, also 24, hopes their on-field rapport will ensure Arsene Wenger's side do not fail yet again to win a trophy, after the duo clicked in Sunday's friendly win against Real Madrid.

"We showed that Ade and I have a few nice combinations together," said Van Persie.

"That is really important for two strikers. You always have to work together and you always have to look for each other so, hopefully, this is a good start. Arsenal have to win something every year. If it is not happening, then everyone is really disappointed.

"I think any of the top four can win the title and I hope we can do it. I'm committed to winning it and, if you look around, so is everyone here."

Adebayor took his time pledging his future to the Gunners, following interest from both AC Milan and Barcelona this summer.

But Van Persie is delighted his strike partner eventually promised to stay - he scored 30 goals last season in his second campaign at Arsenal after joining from Monaco in January 2006.

"I did not know whether he would be staying," said Van Persie. "But it is a good sign that he will be and I am happy he has committed his future to Arsenal."

Van Persie is also relieved that his injury nightmares appear to be over, after he suffered a broken metatarsal two seasons ago.

He said: "I learned a lot in the last two years because I have been injured so much.

"I learned what my body can take and what it can't, so it was an interesting period for me.

"But I just do not want to think about that negative stuff and I hope next season we will not be so unlucky with injuries. It is important for me to get a good start.

"Hopefully we can all get some confidence out of the first few games and can slowly build it up to challenge at the top."

SO, WHO ARE THE SCARIEST HITMEN?
Wayne Rooney & Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd)
Danger rating 9

Didier Drogba & Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
Danger rating 9

Fernando Torres & Robbie Keane (Liverpool)
Danger rating 9

Dean Ashton & Craig Bellamy (West Ham)
Danger rating 7

Dimitar Berbatov & Darren Bent (Tottenham)
Danger rating 8

Gabriel Agbonlahor & John Carew (Aston Villa)
Danger rating 7

Peter Crouch & Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth)
Danger rating 8

Robin van Persie & Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
Danger rating 8

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