By Rob Kelly
Arsène Wenger says Robin van Persie’s goalscoring exploits since he joined Club prove that the Dutch striker is a world-class performer.
The Arsenal captain is approaching his eighth anniversary in north London and his brace against Aston Villa on Sunday brought him level with Dennis Bergkamp on 120 goals.
Van Persie is now joint 10th in the Club’s all-time record goalscorer list and Wenger says his captain - who was hampered by injury problems earlier in his Arsenal career - is truly part of the game’s elite.
"What is amazing is that you look at the number of games Robin has played and the number of goals scored, and [his record] becomes absolutely top, top class,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“You have national class, international class and world class, and Robin is world class.”
See the full interview with the manager on Arsenal Player.
| Name | Starts | Subs | Total Apps | Goals |
| Thierry Henry | 337 | 36 | 373 | 227 |
| Ian Wright | 279 | 9 | 288 | 185 |
| Cliff Bastin | 396 | 0 | 396 | 178 |
| John Radford | 475 | 6 | 481 | 149 |
| Ted Drake | 184 | 0 | 184 | 139 |
| Jimmy Brain | 232 | 0 | 232 | 139 |
| Doug Lishman | 244 | 0 | 244 | 137 |
| Joe Hulme | 374 | 0 | 374 | 125 |
| David Jack | 208 | 0 | 208 | 124 |
| Robin van Persie | 192 | 67 | 259 | 120 |
| Dennis Bergkamp | 345 | 78 | 423 | 120 |
