Robin van Persie and Oguzhan Ozyakup still do not talk after former Arsenal team-mates fell out in on-field bust-up during Istanbul derby a year ago
Dutch-born Turkey international had previously said he respected RVP, who looked after him as a Gunners youngster
ROBIN VAN PERSIE is still not talking to pal Oguzhan Ozyakup after the former Arsenal team-mates clashed in an Istanbul derby last season.
Ozyakup was on the books of the Gunners between 2008 and 2012 when Van Persie was rattling in goals for Arsene Wenger's side.
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Dutch-born Ozyakup, who joined the Gunners' academy from AZ, became pals with the Holland international while the pair were in North London.
Ozyakup failed to make the grade and left for Turkey to join Besiktas in 2012.
Van Persie joined the 25-cap Turkey international in Istanbul three years later, signing for Fenerbahce after Louis van Gaal decided he was no longer up to leading the line at Manchester United.
But the duo's relationship soured after a row in the Turkish Cup quarter-final last season.
They argued and shoved each other as the match boiled over - with Van Persie's goal later proving the difference in Fenerbahce's 1-0 win.
Van Persie celebrated his goal by sliding on his knees toward Ozyakup, with the striker's antics infuriating a Besiktas Wag while delighted his owns fans - who even had T-shirts made up.
Ozyakup and Van Persie's relationship is now damaged to the extent they are still not on speaking terms.
After the game Ozyakup said: "I was very good friends with a certain player on the field. That changed today.
"Sometimes you see the real face of a footballer on the field."
A year on he says that things have not changed.
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Ozyakup, now 25, explained: "We still do not talk, usually players make up after games but this was different.
"Maybe we will make up one day but it will not be the same as before. I do not really want to talk about this to be honest.
"I do not think I was in the wrong, if anything I was wrong to show Robin as much respect as I did."
Back in 2011 Ozyakup had spoken of that respect and how Van Persie was helping him come up through the ranks at Arsenal.
He said: "It is mostly Robin [who I look up to] because he is Dutch and he really looks after me outside of football as well.
"There are more off-field things as well and I am really, really happy he looks after me like this.
"I never expected him to help me that much but I am really thankful that he does that for me.
"Obviously on his Twitter feed he says little things like congratulations – it is those little things he does that are perfect and what I look up to.
"The Manchester United game when I was on the bench he said, 'when you come on I know you can do anything with the ball but without it make sure the tackles are for you. He gives you little tactics and it is unbelievable."
