The Dutch kick off the tournament against World Cup winners Italy on June 9 in Berne and then play France, runners up in Germany last summer, before facing Romania - who finished ahead of them during qualifying - in their final Group C game eight days later.

European champions 20 years ago, Holland have since failed to make it past the semi-finals of a major tournament and indeed did not even qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

Former Dutch international Ronald de Boer feels members of the current squad lack the necessary pride to succeed at the highest level, as they look to emulate the Total Football side of the late 1970s and the Class of 1988 which also included Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman.

However, van Persie maintains the current crop - which includes Manchester United's Champions League hero Edwin van der Sar, Hamburg's Rafael van der Vaart, Real Madrid forward Ruud van Nistelrooy and rising Ajax starlet Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - have what it takes to make their own "statement" this summer.

"We are in a difficult group, so it is going to be tight but we are going to give it a go," van Persie told Arsenal TV Online.

"Everyone is speaking about our amazing group, with Italy, Holland and France - but Romania too have a strong side.

"However, no-one is secure they are going to qualify.

"It is going to be very hard, but we have a young team and let's just look at it like a great challenge.

"We just have to forget about the names [in the other teams] and just play our football, then we will see who is the best."

Van Persie declared: "Everyone still talks about the old Holland teams. Everyone know they played really well and made a statement for the whole world.

"If we can work together and have a good tournament, that will be our statement, our moment and we can enjoy it for many years."

Van Persie could face Arsenal team-mates William Gallas and Mathieu Flamini - who has now joined AC Milan - as well as former Gunner Thierry Henry when Holland take on France in Berne on June 13.

The forward has been struggling with a thigh injury which hampered his club form last season. However, Dutch coach Marco van Basten expects the 24-year-old to be available following positive news from their training base in Lausanne, Switzerland ahead of the tournament opener.

"Physically he is okay now, but he needs to be back to his old self as soon as possible," said the Holland coach.

"He can do this quickly because he wasn't out for a very long time."