Van Gaal: Van Persie to play for Arsenal today

Despite increasing press and internet rumours that Robin van Persie is all but a United player, ESPN are reporting that the Dutchman will play today in Arsenal’s last pre-season friendly against FC Koln.
According to the media outlet, Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal said
Robin will play his first game this Sunday. He has told me he is at least going to play 45 minutes thus weekend. It is a good job, because I almost had not selected him.
This is the only time I’ll pick van Persie and Tottenham’s Rafael van der Vaart while they are not fit.
They have not played a single game yet for their clubs and normally I don’t pick players then. In future I will only pick fit players.
But van Persie is so important for the Dutch team.
It would seem strange that Arsene Wenger would play van Persie if he was, as reported, so close to a move to another c...