Robin van Persie back at Arsenal with Manchester United

Robin van Persie will be the center of attention when Premier League champions Manchester United make the trip to Arsenal on Sunday.

Van Persie departed Emirates Stadium in somewhat acrimonious circumstances in the summer when he was sold to the Red Devils for a reported £22.5million after telling the Gunners he did not want to extend his contract after an eight-year stay.

The Holland international’s goals have helped United wrestle the title back from bitter rivals Manchester City with four games to spare, with his hat-trick in the trophy-clinching 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night taking him to 24 for the season in the Premier League.

Arsenal will form a guard of honour for the new champions and their former captain on Sunday, with Arsene Wenger calling on the home supporters to show respect for the striker they idolized until his summer departure.

There is always a possibility that Sir Alex Ferguson will take Van Persie out of the firing line this weekend with a 20th top-flight title now in the bag, and he admitted on Thursday that fellow forwards Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck could feature.

Wenger: We’ll show United respect

United’s only remaining target this season is surpassing the Premier League record points haul of 95 secured by Chelsea under Jose Mourinho in 2005, while Arsenal remain locked in the battle for fourth place with the Blues and Tottenham hot on their heels.

Wenger’s men have a one-point advantage over the Stamford Bridge side and are two ahead of North London rivals Spurs heading into the home straight, but both of their foes have the advantage of a game in hand.