Robin Van Persie

Robin van Persie (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈrɔbɪn vɐn ˈpɛrsi] ( listen); born 6 August 1983) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Arsenal and the Dutch national team.[3] He is a youth product of Feyenoord.[4] Van Persie is highly regarded for his dribbling and shooting technique, but has become prone to injury.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Van Persie is also a set piece specialist and a vast number of his assists come from both corners and freekicks.[11] Van Persie has become a pivotal figure for club and country and this was recognized when he was named Arsenal Player of The Season for the 2008–09 season.[12][13][14] Van Persie's 50th Premier League strike made him only the fourth Dutchman to reach 50 goals in England's top division along with Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.[15]
The son of two artists, van Persie was encouraged to follow in his parents' footsteps,[16] but he instead preferred football and joined SBV Excelsior's youth squad.[17] He made his breakthrough at his hometown club Feyenoord, where he spent three seasons and won the 2002 UEFA Cup.[18] He was named the Dutch Football Talent of the Year for the 2001-02 season.[19] Disagreements with coach Bert van Marwijk culminated in a change of club and van Persie moved to Premier League side Arsenal for £2.75 million in 2004 as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp.[20][21][22] He won the FA Community Shield and the FA Cup in his first season with the London club and went on to win the 2006 Rotterdam Sportsman of the year award.[23] Van Persie has been named Premier League Player of the Month twice.[24] Van Persie topped the goal assists leader board with 11 assists in the 2008–09 Premier League.[25][26][27]
Van Persie has over 50 caps and has scored 21 goals for the Netherlands and made his senior international debut in 2004.[28][29] He has participated in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and Euro 2008.[30] Van Persie uses Twitter to communicate with his fans where he has more than 300,000 followers.




Personal information
Full name Robin van Persie[1]
Date of birth 6 August 1983 (age 27)[1]
Place of birth Rotterdam, Netherlands
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Arsenal
Number 10
Youth career
1998–1999 Excelsior
1999–2001 Feyenoord
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2004 Feyenoord 59 (15)
2004– Arsenal 152 (63)
National team‡
2004– Netherlands 54 (21)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 02:37, 2 May 2011 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 02:37, 2 May 2011 (UTC)