VAN PERSIE EYES ADEBAYOR LINK-UP

Van Persie - hopes to work with Adebayor.

Arsenal forward Robin van Persie hopes to stay injury-free this season and forge a lethal strike partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Dutchman got some more much-needed game time during the Emirates Cup clash with Real Madrid on Sunday.

Manager Arsene Wenger opted for what looks set to be his first-choice front pairing against the Spanish giants, who were beaten 1-0 by a second-half penalty from Adebayor.

With the Togo striker - a summer transfer target for AC Milan - having now committed his future to the Premier League club, Van Persie feels the duo can strike up an understanding to spearhead the Arsenal team.

"We showed that Ade and I have a few nice combinations together," said Van Persie, whose progress last season was hampered by a series of niggling injuries.

"That is really important for two strikers, you always have to work together, you always have to look for each other. Hopefully this is a good start."

Van Persie had opened the previous campaign in good form, bagging six goals in the first 10 games.

However, his progress was checked by a knee injury suffered on international duty during October and it was one which would keep him out for the best part of two months.

More problems followed on his eventual return at the start of 2008 and again limited the impact of the attack-minded Dutchman.

However, former Feyenoord striker Van Persie - who turns 25 on August 6 - is determined to enter into the new campaign with a fresh approach.

"I am getting better, taking steps every day and I am really happy with how it is going," he said.

"It is really important for me to get a good start, which is why we are building everything up, and we are two weeks on the way now."

Van Persie added: "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.

"I hope next season will not be so unlucky with injuries.

"I just do not want to think about that, negative stuff. If you think positive, you get positive."

Arsenal have lost some key midfielders this summer with Mathieu Flamini, veteran Brazilian Gilberto and Alexander Hleb all having departed.

But Van Persie feels such movement is now part and parcel of modern football and the rest of the squad - boosted by the summer arrivals of Samri Nasri, Amaury Bischoff and Wales Under-21 international Aaron Ramsey - will knuckle down and get on with the job in hand.

"Players leaving is part of football, those things happen," he said.

"Flamini was a free agent, so he could make this decision. Alex went, but this is football and has been happening for many years.

"Of course, I wanted everyone to stay, but this is not how life is."

Van Persie is, though, all too aware how important it will be to secure some silverware next season, with Arsenal having now not won the Premier League title since the 'Invincibles' campaign of 2003/2004.

"I am committed to win it, and if you look around, so is everyone here," he said.

"Arsenal have to win something every year, that is our aim. If it is not happening, then everyone is really disappointed."

Van Persie added: "I think any of the top four can win the title.

"I am not going to say we are going to win it because you never know - they do not know, we do not know either.

"But I want to win as much as possible. After all, this is Arsenal."