Well, its official: Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie has been named the PFA (Players’ Football Association) Player of the Season. The Dutchman received the award ahead of fellow stars Wayne Rooney, Scott Parker and the Manchester City trio of David Silva, Joe Hart and Sergio Aguero. The Gunners star is thoroughly deserved of his award and there can be no questioning.
Over the season as a whole, there is no doubting that Van Persie is the Player of the Season. His recent form might contradict these claims (one goal in seven games); but its his influence and mere presence on the pitch that matters.
Since taking the Captain’s armband from Barcelona-bounded Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie has truly blossomed in his leadership role. He is now truly Arsenal’s talisman, like Cesc, Henry and Bergkamp before him. Unlike his contenders, Van Persie doesn’t have the quality around him compared to the previous glory days, magnifying his achievements more so. He’s not just Arsenal’s leading goal scorer with 27 goals this season, he’s also provided 10 assists to his teammates; showing that he’s more than just a goal getter. But it’s when Arsenal has been under the pump that he’s risen to the challenge.
Countless moments he’s made that decisive pass, that delicate through ball, that delicious lob pass, the darting through one, two, three defenders, the drifting in space unseen and goals. Left foot, right foot, headers, chips, lobs, thunderbolts, free kicks and volleys and more volleys.
Who can forget that free kick against Sunderland? Those magnificent volleys against the Merseyside clubs, Everton and Liverpool? What about his hat trick against Chelsea? And Blackburn? His inspirational performance to lift Arsenal against Aston Villa? And what about the stunning equaliser against North London rivals Tottenham?
No one can doubt that the Player of the Season award deserves to go to Van Persie. He was the favourite for the award and be can’t be any more deserving to be claim to the best player of 2011-2012 season. Congratulations to Robin Van Persie, Arsenal’s Captain Fantastic and the deserved PFA Player of the Season!
| Top Van Persie Goals of 2011/2012 |
| Everton(An Exquisite volley to give the Gunners a 1-0 win) |
| Chelsea(A driving thunderbolt to ensure Arsenal a 5-3 win) |
| Liverpool(91st minute volley to grab a sneaky 2-1 win at Anfield) |
| Tottenham(Dodging three players before curling a goal, on the way to comeback win over their rivals) |
| Van Persie Stats | 2011/2012 |
| Games | 35 |
| Goals | 27 |
| Assists | 10 |
