Robin's safe haven

His father Bob still lives in the ground-floor apartment where Arsenal's budding new star grew up. On the walls there are maps of England and mementos from his son's early career.

He was told by a clairvoyant when Robin was two weeks old that he would become a sports star and talks fondly of how Robin was given a balloon to play with as a baby and filled their apartment with footballs as he grew up.

He also remembers the shopping trips which were used to practise kick-ups on the move. "They were the good times he had in Holland," said Bob. Although Kralingen retains its urban edge, it does not seem the sort of place where Van Persie would need his minder.

But the former Feyenoord star's father says the district is the exception rather than the rule. "Robin has to be careful. People walking around in Amsterdam want to kill him and it is absurd," said Van Persie senior, an artist.

"It is not like that with anyone else in Holland." Sometimes the threats are considered serious enough for Van Persie to seek protection. He asks a friend who used to be a professional Thai boxer to act as his minder. The player's need for protection can largely be explained by the three years he spent at Feyenoord and their fierce rivalry with Ajax. That was probably enough reason for the thugs who attacked him and his car last week.

It was also behind the beating meted out by hooligans when he left the pitch from a reserve game for Feyenoord at Ajax in April.

Those experiences helped make him tough - but wary too: his recent wedding to girlfriend Bouchra was a small affair held in secret in Rotterdam and their £1million apartment is a penthouse tucked out of harm's way on the 34th floor of one of the city's most sought-after blocks.

Perhaps some of the hostility can be explained by the outspoken confidence which has led the striker into clashes he would rather forget.

By the time Van Persie agreed to leave Feyenoord for Arsenal in a £3m deal in April, the fans' cheers had turned to jeers after a series of spectacular bust-ups with coach Bert van Marwijk about training, playing positions and his contract.

His father defends him saying that he had to stand up for himself.

"If he thinks he has been wronged he will tell you, that is all," he added.

Van Persie's honest and strong-willed approach earned him a reputation which led members of Holland's football federation to warn Arsene Wenger about his new striker during Euro 2004. "He likes to wind people up and can be a bit irritating with his banter, but there are lots of people like that," said Ajax defender Nigel de Jong, the striker's best friend in football.

Wenger, though, seems untroubled by his reputation and has challenged Van Persie to show some humility and learn from other players.

He has already showed willing and the coaching staff at Highbury have been pleasantly surprised by his progress in pre-season games and training.

He said: "The Netherlands is in the past for me. I'm a Gunner now and proud of it. I'm really enjoying it, every match and training. My team-mates are helping me a lot and this is a fresh start."

That new beginning has included his dad buying a place near the M25 so he can come over for visits. The player has rented a home in Hampstead, is working on his English and is determined to adapt to life here. Early nights and dedication are key words as he is determined to prove himself on the big stage.

It has already paid off with new Dutch coach Marco van Basten selecting Van Persie in the squad to play Sweden in a friendly on 18 August.

It is hard to believe that Van Persie's birthday on Friday will only be his 21st.