Van Persie insists: We'll have the last laugh

It has been a summer of turmoil at the Emirates with captain Thierry Henry following vicechairman David Dein through the exit door, doubts about Arsene Wenger's long-term future and incessant chat about a takeover.

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Reassurances that everything is hunky dory have seemed, at times, a little too desperate but, after winning the meaningless Emirates Cup last weekend, Van Persie and Fabregas came out fighting.

The pair - sure to be pivotal in the post-Henry era - insist that, far from losing their grip on a top four place, Arsenal are ready to compete once again with Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea for the Premiership title.

Van Persie, 23, said: "It's hard to fight with them but I know we can do it. Football is not about age or money. It's about if you want to run for each other, if you want to fight for each other and really play some ball.

"Liverpool have spent lots of money, Chelsea have been doing that the last few years, I respect that. This is their way of winning things. But we can win things as well. We are young. So what? Age doesn't matter. It's about the way we play football and the way we like to play together.

"To win the title with this team would be great. I really believe we can do that. I think the manager is thinking the same.

"Since I started pre-season with these boys, every day I've seen their ability. Yes, they are young and young people make mistakes but that doesn't really matter. Like in love, age doesn't matter."

Although he insists the burden will be shared, Van Persie is sure to inherit the responsibility of supplying goals after returning from six months out with a broken foot.

Van Persie, who scored the winner against Inter Milan on Sunday, said: "I don't feel the pressure at all. It's not my aim to be the top scorer. My aim is to play good football with this team. I've been out for six months, way too long. I'm just so happy that I'm back.

"I was quite surprised we played such good football because this is just pre-season. We played some tremendous stuff. It was quite funny because during the game Cesc and I were smiling at each other because we liked the fact that we were playing so well. Everyone was smiling during the game. If we play the same way or even less, we will have a big chance at least to fight for the title."

If Van Persie shoulders the weight of expectation up front, Fabregas must provide the inspiration and creativity in midfield. Stories continue to trickle out of Spain that he remains a top target for Real Madrid, even though new manager Bernd Schuster may now be prepared to wait until next summer to get his man.

Fabregas said: "You never know in the future. When you are a footballer, anything can happen. But, right now, the best place for me is Arsenal. Since I signed this contract, everybody could see I really believe in this team and my commitment is the same as the first day I came here.

"We have a strong team but we don't have to keep saying: "We will win, we will win". We have to keep going game by game, and if we can keep the concentration, we have a strong team and can win. Why not? I'm happy at Arsenal, I want to continue here and win many things."

Even William Gallas is back on message after his complaint on his website about the club's lack of investment in world-class players.

Gallas said: "We will show all the critics that we can do it this season by adopting a new attitude, because we have to be up there. In the past we have relied on lovely football to see us through, but sometimes you have to fight to achieve success and that will be the attitude we shall adopt this season. We showed against Inter that we can do just that.

"Some people claim this club are on a downward spiral but there is enormous determination. Thierry has gone. Now we have to look forward to a new era. There is a tremendous spirit of togetherness and I'm ready for the challenge and want to set the right example."