( CNN ) -- Robin van Persie officially arrived at Manchester United from Arsenal on Friday , declaring he was `` honored '' to be spearheading the Old Trafford club 's hunt for a 20th English league title . The Dutch striker is in line to make his United debut in Monday 's Premier League fixture against Everton after signing a four-year deal until 2016 . He has never won a league title with Arsenal -- where his only trophy was a domestic cup seven years ago -- or at his previous club Feyenoord . `` I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers , bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game . I ca n't wait to get started , '' the 29-year-old said in an official statement . Van Persie , who finished last season as the English first division 's top goalscorer with 30 goals , moved to Arsenal from the Netherlands in 2004 . He went on to score 96 goals in 194 appearances , being named club captain last season . Which clubs will win Europe 's top leagues ? He had been linked with United 's crosstown rivals , Premier League champions Manchester City , as well as Italian league winners Juventus . `` In these situations , when you have to make a hard decision in your life , I always listen to that little boy inside me . What does he want ? That boy was screaming for Manchester United , '' Van Persie told reporters on Friday . `` Everyone knows me by now . I love football . I am quite principled in that perspective . It is always difficult to find the perfect match but I do feel this is the perfect match for me . `` Manchester United breathes football . If you look at all the players from Manchester United , the stadium and manager , my choice was made very soon . '' Manchester City 's Barcelona acquisition . United manager Alex Ferguson hopes Van Persie can combine with England forward Wayne Rooney , who finished second behind his new teammate in the goalscoring stakes last term with 27 goals . `` Robin is a world-class striker with a proven record in England and in European football , '' said Ferguson . `` His talents need no introduction to our fans -- he has scored a number of goals against us in some classic battles with his former club . His movement , finishing and all-round ability are outstanding . `` If you go back six months ago , I could n't see us getting him . I thought Arsenal are not going to let him go . When I read he had refused a new contract , that is when we acted . It has been a long haul . '' Following the recruitment of Van Persie , Ferguson drew parallels with United 's current strike force and the group of goalscorers he had at his disposal when the club won a treble in 1999 , being crowned European champions and English league and FA Cup winners . `` In 1999 I had Dwight Yorke , Andy Cole , Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer , the four best strikers in Europe , '' Ferguson told reporters . `` We are going towards that now . They ( Rooney and Van Persie ) are two fantastic players and it will be great to have both of them . It gives us more strength and more combinations up front . `` It is a fantastic collection of players and hopefully I pick the right combinations . It is great to have a player of Robin van Persie 's qualities to come into the squad . I am very pleased . '' His arrival will almost certainly mean the departure of Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov , who was the Premier League 's joint top scorer in 2010-11 but spent most of last season on the bench as Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez partnered Rooney . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will look to new signings Lukas Podolski of Germany and France 's Olivier Giroud to fire the Gunners to a first trophy since beating United in the 2005 FA Cup final . `` We have regret because we have lost a great player , '' Wenger told a press conference ahead of Arsenal 's season opener against Sunderland . `` He had only one year left on his contract and he wanted to go . We had anticipated this situation might happen therefore we have bought Podolski and Giroud . We were prepared . '' Van Persie may not be the last player to leave the Emirates Stadium this transfer window , with reports suggesting midfielder Alex Song is on the verge of a move to Barcelona . When asked about Song 's possible departure and a potential Arsenal move for Real Madrid 's Nuri Sahin , Wenger responded : `` Both can happen . '' Meanwhile , U.S. international Clint Dempsey is expected to leave Premier League club Fulham , having been linked with Liverpool . The 29-year-old attacking midfielder , who scored 23 goals in all competitions last season , has been fined for refusing to play in Saturday 's opening game against Norwich , according to the UK Press Association .
Robin van Persie says he is `` honored '' to have signed for Manchester United . The striker signed a four-year deal with United after finalizing his move from Arsenal . TL;DR Midfielder Alex Song could follow Van Persie out of Arsenal after being linked with Barcelona .