Robin van Persie profile
Name
Robin van Persie
Born
August 06, 1983
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Position
Striker
Squad Number
10
Previous Club(s)
Feyenoord
Joined Arsenal
May 17, 2004
May
Robin ended the season with the Premier League Golden Boot after notching his 29th and 30th league goals of the campaign in the 3-3 draw against Norwich at Emirates Stadium. The captain also started the win over West Brom to help secure Champions League football next season. “The main thing was that we had to qualify, everyone is very pleased and everyone is enjoying this moment," said the striker. "It is just a fantastic feeling again to be ahead of Spurs. I heard that they won but it didn't really matter because we won our game and that is just the best feeling of all.”
April
Robin ended his biggest 'drought' of the season - four matches - with an audacious penalty against Wolves. He also turned provider for Theo Walcott in the same game before celebrating both the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards towards the end of April. The Dutch international finished off his 35th goal of the season in the 1-1 draw at Stoke. "If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it," the striker said on his awards win. "It is very special because you are playing against them week in week out and every single player does everything to win. In the end, if they make up their minds that I am the best player it is a big honour."
March
Robin's month started with a bang as he hit both goals in the dramatic late win over Liverpool at Anfield. The striker added another from the penalty spot in the 3-0 victory over AC Milan before following that up with the equalising goal against Newcastle. The Dutchman endured his biggest drought of the season towards the end of the month - three matches - a figure that tells its own story. "We need to show consistency over a period of a whole year," said the captain. "That is very hard and only the best of the best teams have that in them. Look at Barcelona for example. They have a special team there, they are playing most games - nine out of 10 - really well and working hard. We need to have a run like that for months and even win the ugly games."
February
Robin scored four goals in six games in February, including a hat trick in the 7-1 defeat of Blackburn. He scored a memorable goal against Tottenham and also collected the Premier League's 'First to 20 Goals Award' for reaching the milestone before any other player in the top flight.
January
Robin continued where he left off in 2011 with another superb month of goalscoring, netting four times in four matches. His two goals against Aston Villa brought him level with Dennis Bergkamp in the Club's all-time scoring charts on 120 goals. "He is a world-class player. You have national class, international class and world class, and Robin is world class," Wenger said.
December
Robin's incredible scoring run continued with goals against Wigan, Everton, Aston Villa and QPR completing a fine tally for 2011. The striker fell one short of Alan Shearer's 36-goal haul, but set a new Club record by surpassing Thierry Henry's 34-goal calendar year in 2004. The Dutchman's effort against Everton won Arsenal.com's Goal of the Year, as voted for by the fans. “I have had some knocks in the past but 2011 was clear with no injuries and I could enjoy myself," said the striker. "I was playing, having fun - as everyone could see."
November
Robin's incredible goalscoring run continued with five goals in as many appearances. The Dutchman hit the opener in the win over West Brom before claiming consecutive braces against Norwich and Borussia Dortmund. "He has totally matured,” said Wenger. “He is much more focused on efficiency. You have to give him credit as he is a football lover. He came here as a winger and when you look at his numbers, you can only say he is fantastic."
October
Robin enjoyed one of his finest ever months in an Arsenal shirt, scoring seven goals in five appearances. A brilliant match-winning brace against Sunderland was followed up two more from the bench to earn his side three points against Stoke. But he saved the best until last, firing in a superb hat-trick in the stunning 5-3 win at Stamford Bridge to sink Chelsea. “We are having a good run at the moment,” he said. “People realise we can do it against any team so everyone is happy.”
September
It was a golden month for Robin, who celebrated his 100th goal for the Club with a brace in the 3-0 victory over Bolton. The Dutch international scored the opener in Dortmund to help Arsenal to a hard-fought point, and he featured heavily in the victories over Swansea and Olympiacos.
August
Robin captained the team for all three Premier League matches during the month, also scoring in the Champions League qualifier second leg against Udinese. He doubled his account for the season by also finding the net in the defeat at Old Trafford.
