Robin van Persie has revealed that he did not believe he could play as a main striker.

The Dutchman, who has notched 26 league goals in 31 games this season, was given his new role when Emmanuel Adebayor departed for Manchester City in 2009.

Van Persie said that, although manager Arsene Wenger was confident, he was left unconvinced of his ability to lead the line.

"I was hoping to play as a second striker. I never thought I would end up as a main striker," The Sun quotes the 28-year-old as saying.

"We only tried it when Adebayor went. The boss didn't buy anyone else. He was convinced I could do it but I wasn't.

"In my first five or six games I was making assists but I didn't score and I thought, 'I am a main striker now, I need to score'. When I scored my first goal I then scored seven in seven, with seven assists."

Van Persie joined Arsenal from Dutch side Feyenoord in 2004.