Michael Van Gerwen Fires Brutal Dig at Gary Anderson Ahead of Their WDC Match

Three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen has aimed a not-so-subtle dig at Gary Anderson as they prepare to do battle in the last 16 of this year's World Darts Championship.

For the fourth year running, a focused Van Gerwen advanced to the fourth round after recording a routine 4-1 win over German debutant Arno Merk.

The 36-year-old, who averaged 99.7 in the contest, will now take on two-time world champion Gary Anderson, who won a thrilling deciding-set match against Jermaine Wattimena earlier in the day.

Anderson, meanwhile, walked away from the oche with an impressive 102.24 average.

In his post-match press conference, "The Flying Scotsman" sent a message to Van Gerwen ahead of their much-anticipated clash on December 30. “Michael knows what he’s going to get with me," he said.

"I’ve known him for a long time. It depends which Michael turns up."

Van Gerwen went on to beat Merk and was inevitably asked about the prospect of facing Anderson. “The first time I played Gary was probably 22 or 23 years ago,” he said in his post-match press conference.

"We know exactly what we have to do to beat each other. We’ve had so many great battles, and I hope we’re going to have another one in two days’ time.”

The Dutchman was also asked about Anderson’s suggestion that he could continue playing until the age of 60. “Gary’s said so much crap in his life, I don’t believe him anymore,” he laughed. “He retires every year.”

Here's how fans have reacted to Van Gerwen's latest comments.

One said: "Honestly, MVG has far too much to say these days for someone that hasn’t won anything of note for a long time. Hopefully he will be put in his place."

A second wrote: "Not doing himself any favours here," and a third commented: "MVG is class just ranting about everyone these days."

A fourth added: "He's talking himself into the tournament to drive himself on, I feel. Anderson (will) humble him badly."

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Van Gerwen was also full of admiration for Anderson and his current form.

“I expect a lot from that game because Gary’s playing some fantastic darts,” he said. “Everyone’s saying the old Gary is back. He’s averaging 102–103, I’m averaging about 99–100, so I think that’s a good sign for me."

"When you play Gary, there’s always room for fireworks," added Van Gerwen. "We always play good against each other, most of the time at least.”

Michael van Gerwen described 2025 as the toughest year of his life ahead of World Championship

It has been a difficult year for the Dutchman, both on and off the oche. In fact, he said back in October that he was going through the toughest time of his life.

Amid his poor form with the arrows, he has been through a divorce with the mother of his two children, Daphne. His dad, Henri, has also been fighting a battle with cancer.

Speaking candidly to The Guardian ahead of his opener against Japanese debutant Mitsuhiko Tatsunami, Van Gerwen was asked if his recent personal trauma has changed him.

“A lot,” he said. “Maybe it’s better to say it has not changed me as a person – but it has changed my way of thinking. It has made me understand what’s most important in life. It has to be family. Of course I love darts but I love my kids much more."

Van Gerwen added: "Before, when I didn’t have kids, it was easier. Darts was always my number one. Then, when I had kids, darts was not my number one any more. You have to try to balance things a little better.”