Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will be treated with respect on his return to Arsenal, his former manager Arsene Wenger has said.
Van Persie, who quit Arsenal last year after eight seasons at the club, returns to his old stomping ground on Sunday as a Premier League champion after his hat-trick helped his new team wrap up the title against Aston Villa on Monday.
The achievement meant the Dutch international, along with the rest of the United squad, will be clapped on to the pitch by the Arsenal players in a guard of honour, a gesture that is likely to rankle the home fans still angry about his departure.
Wenger, however, said the player who quit the club for a reported fee of £24million would not be shunned by his former employers.
"We will respect the players that have played for us a long time as we always have done and treat them well before and after the game," Wenger said.
"As a champion or not as a champion it is exactly the same.
"What I want is for us to have a good game and to beat them, it doesn't matter what kind of status they come with."
