Arsenal's Van Persie says no fallout with Wenger

LONDON (Reuters) -- Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has played down any fallout with manager Arsene Wenger despite his apparent show of dissent during his side's 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United on Sunday.

Dutch striker Van Persie, who scored Arsenal's equaliser, appeared to voice his disapproval when Wenger substituted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Andrei Arshavin -- a decision that also prompted a chorus of boos from the crowd.

"The manager and I are fine and my relationship with the club is good," van Persie, whose 19 league goals have been the silver lining in a poor season for Arsenal so far, told The Sun.

"There is no problem. There is no conflict, and no controversy. I was not having a go at the boss on Sunday -- I was just sad to see Alex leave the pitch as he just gave the assist for our only goal.

"I was not questioning Wenger's judgement -- I know it's not my place to challenge what Arsene Wenger does. He is the boss, he makes the decisions and that's it...end of story."

Van Persie said he did not realise teenager Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose pass set up the goal, had been carrying a calf injury prior to Wenger switching him.

"We did not know but the boss did and brought Andrei Arshavin on."

Despite losing their eighth game of the season and trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by five points, Van Persie said it was not all doom and gloom at Arsenal and that they can still secure a top-four finish.

"Losing to Manchester United was a setback, but it was not a knockout blow," he said. "Anybody writing us off is making a mistake. This could still be a good season for us. We have the FA Cup to look forward to and the Champions League."

Arsenal face AC Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League.

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