Ten of the best: Robin Van Persie’s finest century strikes.
So he has done, after signing for Arsenal back in 2004, Robin Van Persie’s brace against Bolton at the weekend helped him earn his 99th and 100th goals for the club. Whilst the striker has spent a lot of his tenure in North London on the injury table, Van Persie’s goals over the last few years have been like gold dust to the Gunners especially last year. And being Dutch means that there have been some crackers along the way.
Here’s my pick of Robin Van Persie’s top ten goals for Arsenal.
10. Vs Wigan Athletic (Carling Cup Semi-Final Second Leg – 24/01/2006)
With the game in Extra-time, Arsenal were awarded a free kick in front of the North Bank at Highbury. With the score currently at 1-1 step forward Robin Van Persie to curl an unstoppable left footed pearler right into the top corner.
9. Vs Southampton (Premier League – 30/10/2004)
Manchester United ended Arsenal’s unbeaten run of 49 games the week before and after going so long without defeat Arsene Wenger’s side looked shaky. With the Saints leading 2-1 at Highbury, Van Persie wrong-footed a crowded penalty area by cutting the ball in from the right before smashing the ball into the far corner to earn the Gunners a late point.
8. Vs Sunderland (Premier League – 07/10/2007)
The game was only seven minutes old when Arsenal were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Craig Gordon was position well in the Sunderland goal but the sheer force of Van Persie’s bullet was too much for the Scotsman.
7. Vs Blackburn Rovers (FA Cup Semi-Final – 16/04/2005)
Arsenal were just eight minutes away from yet another FA Cup Final as Robert Pires’ strike had given the side their 1-0 lead. Van Persie came on in the 82nd minute of the match and went on to score twice with his first being a brilliant turn, run and shot.
6. Vs Birmingham City (Carling Cup Final – 27/02/2011)
Nikola Zigic had given the underdogs the lead in this Cup Final and with the first half close to an end, Arsenal’s captain somehow managed to bend his leg around his marker and turn the cross in for the equaliser.
5. Vs Barcelona (Champions League – 16/02/2011)
Barcelona travelled to the Emirates a year after throwing away a two-goal lead to draw and were determined to set the record straight. David Villa had put the Catalan club a goal to the good before Van Persie slammed in a near post leveller to set up Arsenal for a famous win and send the Gunner’s faithful into delirium.
4. Vs Blackburn Rovers (Premier League – 26/11/2005)
Another against Blackburn and this one put the icing of the cake for Arsenal in their last meeting with Rovers at Highbury. With the match already won, the Dutchman turn away from the opposition, raced down the right before turning back on to his left peg to launch a devastating lob into the top corner.
3. Vs Everton (Premier League – 28/01/2009)
Everton led the Gunners at Goodison Park with the 90 minutes all but up. Arsenal, in desperation, hit a long ball forward which the striker rifled into the back of the net to rescue his side a point with a goal that contained brilliant skill to bring the ball down and away from the defender and the composure to smash in the finish from a tight angle.
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2. Vs Liverpool (21/12/2008)
My runner-up is this little gem nearly three years ago. The Dutch forward gave the home side the lead after controlling a long ball from Samir Nasri with ease, turning onto his weaker foot in the same swivel and then power his shot past Pepe Reina to cap off a brilliant Van Persie goal.
1.Vs Charlton (30/09/2006)
Not hard to guess the winner, I’m sure a lot of you have this as your favourite RVP moment. Van Persie scored twice this day as Arsenal came from behind to win at the Valley but the game will always be remembered for THAT goal. Having got his side level in the first half, four minutes into the second half Emmanuel Eboue floated a wayward cross out towards the edge of the area at head height. There was no way this ball could be hit on goal, only a header would have got on target but nobody told Van Persie that. The striker at full pace, leaped above his marker and somehow made connection with his left foot to send his unbelievable volley into the top corner and send the away fans behind the goal nuts.
Matt Cotton
@FindingCotton
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