Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged the club's supporters to show Robin van Persie respect when he returns to the Emirates Stadium for the first time next weekend.
The Dutchman left the Gunners in the summer to join rivals Manchester United for £24m and has been a hate figure at the club ever since his departure.
However, Wenger wants the fans to welcome their former skipper in a positive manner.
"We will respect the players that have played for us a long time as we always have done and treat them well before and after the game," Wenger told The Mirror. "As a champion or not as a champion it is exactly the same.
"What I want is for us to have a good game and to beat them, it doesn't matter what kind if status they come with. We'll see."
Van Persie has scored 21 Premier League goals for United this season.
