Van Persie:We'll put this defeat behind us

Robin van Persie was feeling low after Saturday's defeat at Queens Park Rangers but he is certain that Arsenal's spirits will soar in time for the visit of Manchester City. The Dutchman saw his side's seven-match winning streak come to an end at Loftus Road thanks to goals in either half from Adel Taarabt and Samba Diakite. Arsenal remain in third place but they are now level on points with Tottenham, who beat Swansea City on Sunday. It might have been a different story had Van Persie not been denied by a brilliant save from QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny but the captain is adamant that Arsenal will put Saturday's setback behind them. "Everyone is disappointed but towards the end of the week I am sure the spirit will be how it was," Van Persie told Arsenal Player. "We’ll have a couple of days to be disappointed but after that our focus is on Manchester City. "It is a shame we have wait eight days for the game, but it is how it is. Losing at QPR is a big blow but we have to look forward and the next one is a big one. "Man City are second but drew [on Saturday] so they will need the points. We have seven big games to play but if you look at the big-name teams then we have City and Chelsea. As a fan of football I always love to play those games and one of them is next week. "We have seven more games to play and I believe we can come third. It won’t be easy, everyone is fighting for every point and our opportunity is next week. "Even last week when we were three points ahead [in third] with eight games left we never thought it was done. [Tottenham and] Chelsea won and came closer but we have to look at ourselves."