VAN PERSIE REJECTED THE DARK SIDE

IT'S a simple picture but it tells one hell of a story. A tale of teenage temptation, human weakness and wasted talent.

An ordinary snapshot that champions burning ambition, mental strength and total dedication.

Yet most people wouldn't give it a second glance.

It's a photograph of a kids' under-14s football team.

But to Robin van Persie, it is a compelling lesson in life.

A powerful reminder of just how much the Arsenal star has achieved - and also of how close he came to throwing it all away.

Van Persie said: "My life could easily have been completely different.

"I came from a very rough neighbourhood in Rotterdam where there were so many cultures all mixed together.

"I was one of the only white Dutch guys there - my friends were from Africa, Surinam, Morocco, Turkey.

"And, of course, there were distractions. Like when I was younger and was in a shop buying candy - I would pay for one but then take another one.

"I did that sort of thing here and there. We were kids and we all did it. But when I got to 14, I found myself at a crossroads in my life.

"I could have easily gone astray.

"I saw people doing stupid things - my team-mates, my colleagues, my friends.

"For instance, my friends tried to make me have a drink, have a cigarette and stuff - well, you know, it was Holland.

"But I was always more interested in football, that was what I wanted to do more than anything.

"So I never did those things.

"I never went to that dark side. It would have been easy to have done it - half the team was doing it, most of my friends were doing it. But I did not.

"I just felt it was not right to smoke, to drink, when you are just 14. Everyone told me to try it but I always said 'no'.

"And the other day I looked at a picture of my under-14s football team and I looked at the ones who were doing those things and also at the ones who weren't.

"And do you know what? The ones who did it - none of them made it!"

Van Persie, 26, pauses for a moment, clearly still amazed at the significance of the photograph.

He's not gloating, he's not moralising, he's not drawing any deep and meaningful conclusions - he just makes the observation.

And don't think that the Dutchman is some goody-goody who has never strayed.

He has, but van Persie says he has learned from his mistakes and become a better person.

One shameful incident from his youth haunts the father-of-two.

An experience that he acknowledges was a turning point in his life - the day he and two friends attacked a small class-mate and beat him up.

Key moment

Van Persie confessed: "There was one guy in my class who was a real pain in the ass. I got together with two of my friends and we gave him a real lesson.

"It felt really good at the time because he deserved it, because he was such a bad guy.

"But when I went home I felt bad. Really bad.

"Yes, the guy was a pain but he was weak while the three of us were strong. Any one of us could easily have taken him one on one. It was wrong and although I was just 14, it proved a big turning point for me. I made a real change in myself so it was a key moment, an important moment.

"That terrible thing gave me such a bad feeling that I never picked on weaker people again.

"After that I stood up for the smaller guys, the kids who were weak and who were teased.

"I just don't like people being bullied - picked on for no reason."

And that's why these days van Persie restricts himself to "bullying" opposing defenders.

And the only things he wants to "nick" are the European Cup and the Premier League title.

The Arsenal striker has hit the target eight times this season.

And he says there's more to come - and silverware, too.

He said: "So far I have only won two trophies at Arsenal - the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

"That's not enough and I would hate to finish my career having won only those here.

"I desperately want to win the Premier League and the Champions League with Arsenal and I truly believe that's possible.

"But... I get the chance to play with the likes of Fabregas, Arshavin, Eduardo, Walcott, Nasri and Rosicky - great players who play a beautiful game.

"Then I watch some teams on TV and think: 'Oh my God, this is so ugly!'

"That helps me realise how special it is to be at a club like this. I want to win it all with Arsenal."

Now that would be sweet...

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