Beşiktaş star Oğuzhan Özyakup has revealed that Robin van Persie inspired him and became his role model during his time at Arsenal.

The Turkish international star was quoted by Milliyet as saying: “Robin van Persie inspired me at Arsenal he is still my role model and somebody I look up to.”

Özyakup joined Arsenal as a youngster and Van Persie took him under his wing even giving him a place to stay in his early years.

The Beşiktaş star played a major role in Arsenal’s Under-18s side that won the Premier Academy League title in 2009 and made a few appearances in cup competitions for the Gunners before joining Beşiktaş in 2012 for a fee of €500,000.

Despite playing for Turkey Özyakup was actually born in the Netherlands and represented the country at youth level.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been one of the stand out players in the Beşiktaş side this season establishing himself as a first team regular under the command of Şenol Güneş who replaced Slaven Bilic as manager over the summer.

Van Persie joined Özyakup in the Turkish Super League over the summer after completing his transfer from Manchester United to Fenerbahçe on a three-year deal.

The Dutch star has six goals and on assist in all competitions for the Yellow Canaries this season.

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