Striker Robin van Persie has insisted that the Netherlands' physical approach during their World Cup campaign was the right one, despite losing in the final to a slick passing Spain.

The Dutch international explained that Holland wouldn't have been able to progress as far as they did if they had just stuck to the playing the pretty football they are known for.

The 27-year-old also related his experiences with Arsenal, having not won a trophy with his club for five years, and often being criticised as being 'easy to bully off the park'.

The Gunners' passing game is often disrupted by overly-physical teams such as Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, who do their best to kick the players in red and white rather the ball.

van Persie said: "People criticised us for our playing style. It was not as pretty as it used to be with Holland.

"But my question is: Getting results and reaching the final or playing the beautiful game and getting knocked out in the first round — which would you choose?

"Just before France had to pack their bags, Patrick Vieira said to me that you don't have to play well in the group stages of a World Cup, not even in the second round.

"Only later do you have to grow as a team and you will reach a high level. That will get you to the final. That is exactly the way we did it. Against Brazil in the second half, we were brilliant.

"I know how difficult it can be to play wonderful football and not get the result you want.

"I see it at Arsenal more than I want to. When we play the likes of Bolton and Blackburn we dominate the game, we play attacking football and they score from a lousy throw-in or an odd corner-kick. Then we end up chasing them again.

"The criticism Holland got in the World Cup I recognise from what we get at Arsenal. It was a final. You don't give up without a fight, do you?"

But Robin, you didn't beat Spain, who didn't adopt the physical approach and instead stuck to their passing game, and it paid dividends for them.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has reiterated his desire to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, but says the final decision rests with the Gunners.

Barcelona have already signed Spain striker David Villa this summer and also brought in versatile Sevilla defender Adriano this week, but their pursuit of Fabregas has lasted for months and Arsenal appear unwilling to do business.

"I think bringing in Cesc will cost a lot," Guardiola said at a press conference on Monday.

"We want him to come, but if Arsenal don't want to negotiate, he won't come.

"I'm not optimistic or pessimistic and understand that Wenger wants to keep him from other teams in England and Madrid, who would also like him. He is a great player."

Arsène Wenger is confident Theo Walcott will respond well on the pitch after missing out on England's World Cup squad last month.

The 21-year-old was included in Fabio Capello's initial 30-man squad but was dropped when that side was trimmed to 23 for the trip to South Africa.

Wenger spoke to Walcott at the time and the Arsenal manager is confident the striker will respond well to the disappointment.

"Theo is committed in training," said the Frenchman after Saturday's pre-season friendly at Barnet. "He has always shown that when he is in trouble or not rated as much he should be, he responds well on the pitch.

"I called him when he was not picked [in England's final World Cup squad], and tried to help him focus on the future. He is a young boy and has it all in front of him."

Manager Arsène Wenger has revealed that he hasn't yet decided on who the number one goalkeeper at the club should be for the new season, indicating that that the spot is up for grabs.

Wenger commented that the reason for this is because he wanted to give all three goalkeepers at the club an equal opportunity to prove their credentials.

Manual Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski, Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczesny are all candidates for the position, with three out of the four not inspiring at all in last season's performances.

The Frenchman also hinted that it could be a completely new player that wears the number one jersey. Wenger said: "We are still active in the transfer market.

"At the moment, in pre-season, there is no No 1 - you have to give a chance to everyone to show how good he is. You cannot decide that today.

"We are still looking at various situations, but I would not like to come out on any individuals."

Speaking after yesterday's 4-0 win over Barnet, the Frenchman also praised the performances of new signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny.

He added: "Both new signings did well over the 45 minutes.

"Koscielny adjusted slowly to the required challenges in the air, and you could see Chamakh was very good at bringing players in.

"With our creative midfielders, that will be suited to our game."