Player Profile

11. Robin van Persie

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At long last, English football has seen the undoubted talent of a fit-and-firing Robin Van Persie.
 
Too often the Dutchman has seen promising form - and an unerring ability to find the net - compromised by injury problems. However, during 2008/09 Robin managed to stay relatively injury-free.
 
Unsurprisingly he managed more appearances than in any of his other four years with the Gunners and his tally of 20 goals, coming in just 38 starts, was seven more than his previous season’s best. But, despite those impressive stats, this is no regular centre-forward. When on top form, Robin combines the guile and vision as a deep-lying striker, with a natural stealth inside the area.
 
This was no more apparent than in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in November.  With an hour on the clock, the Gunners were trailing to Johan Djourou’s own-goal. But, within 120 seconds, Van Persie had turned the game on its head. First he rifled a stunning right-foot effort into the top corner from 15 yards before securing three points with a swiveling finish.
 
And it was no flash in the pan. In fact, the Dutchman scored or created every Arsenal goal in January 2009 and eventually finished the season as the Gunners’ top scorer.
 
It was no surprise that the fans voted him Arsenal’s Player of the Season and, with a new long-term contract penned during the summer, the foundations have been laid for even more in 2009/10.

 

MY YEAR

January

Robin remained on the sidelines in January with an ankle ligament injury.

December

An ankle ligament injury meant that Robin was unavailable throughout December and the Dutchman is expected to miss the majority of the remainder of the season.

November

Robin endured a terrible month as he was injured in Holland's goalless draw in Italy. Initially ruled out for six weeks, Robin was later told he would need surgery to reconstruct his ankle ligaments and is expected to be out for between four and five months.

11. Robin van Persie - Full Arsenal Record

  Prem Lge Europe FA Cup Lge Cup C. Shield Total
Player Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl Ap Gl
2004-2005 12+14 5 0+6 1 3+2 3 3 1 0+1 0 18+23 10
2005-2006 13+11 5 3+4 2 2 0 3+1 4 0+1 0 21+17 11
2006-2007 17+5 11 7+1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 25+6 13
2007-2008 13+2 7 6+1 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 20+3 9
2008-2009 24+4 11 10 5 4+2 4 0 0 0 0 38+6 20
2009-2010 11 7 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 8
Totals 90+36 46 30+12 13 10+4 7 7+1 5 0+2 0 137+55 71
Key:
  • Prem Lge = Barclays Premier League
  • C. Shield = Community Shield
  • Europe = UEFA Champions League
  • Ap = Appearances
  • FA Cup = FA Cup sponsored by E-on
  • Gl = Goals Scored
  • Lge Cup = Carling Cup
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