World Class Van Persie

The recent season has been analysed and scrutinised by many fans, bloggers, journalists and even by the players and manager. It had it's ups and also it's downs and, after a more than disappointing ending, most of us are pleased to see the back of it. 
However, over the next few weeks I aim to conduct some blogs that give a more positive message from Arsenal's 2010-2011 season, and look at some of the good things that happened over the course of the year. In the last post of this series, I look at the impact Van Persie has had on our season.


Where would we have been last year without this man?

Van Persie was simply exceptional in the second half of the season, leading the team from the front scoring goal and after goal and being the main creative talent in a team which included Fabregas, Nasri and Wilshere.


The 27 year old managed 22 goals in 33 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions as well as 7 assists. His form in the second half of the season - after yet another injury ravaged start to the year - was breathtaking, and he broke many records along the way, as well as scoring his first career hat-trick against Wigan. His records included most consecutive away goals, as well as equaling the 18 goal record since the turn of the year.

Next year he can definitely be regarded as one of our best players, even if Cesc, Samir etc. don't leave. His touch is audacious and, even though he doesn't play in his favored position he scores goals and creates them too. If Cesc does leave this summer we could even revert to 442 with Van Persie behind the main striker, but hopefully we won't be in that situation.


His best moment was probably the fantastic goal against Barcelona at the Emirates. Everything about the goal was sublime. The inch perfect ball by Clichy before the Dutchman finished off the move with an outrageous shot, which buried itself in the bottom corner of the Barcelona net. It was a Bergkamp-esque goal or sublime quality, and one which personally i'll never forget.

His worst moment also probably came against Barcelona, when after getting a stupid booking, he was sent off in what is a massive injustice and probably led to us getting knocked out of the champions league. It was an awful decision by the ref, but  if he hadn't received the first booking then he wouldn't have been in the situation to be sent off.


Robin does seem happy at Arsenal right now, but if we lose our best players he may not be for much longer. Hopefully he'll be scoring (and not be getting injured) a lot next season. And he really has to improve on his set-pieces.