A soft target for an Arsenal club that's having a hard time

LONDON - Robin van Persie has emerged as the man to lead Arsenal out of its early-season funk, and the Dutch striker will be a key figure in ensuring its rehabilitation continues in the Champions League at home to Olympiakos on Wednesday.

Van Persie, club skipper in the wake of Cesc Fabregas's exit to Barcelona, scored twice in a 3-0 home victory against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday - a win that helped steady the ship after the club's worst start to a Premier League campaign.

Despite that, there is still a long way to go before the critics disperse, and anything short of victory on Wednesday against a club with an abysmal record in England would offer them more ammunition.