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| cityofbirth = [[Rotterdam]]
| cityofbirth = [[Rotterdam]]
| countryofbirth = [[Netherlands]]
| countryofbirth = [[Netherlands]]
| currentclub = [[Arsenal|Arsenal F.C.]]
| currentclub = [[Arsenal FC|Arsenal]]
| clubnumber = 11
| clubnumber = 11
| position = [[Striker (football)|Striker]], [[Second striker|Second Striker]], [[Midfielder (football)#Winger|Winger]]
| position = [[Striker (football)|Striker]], [[Second striker|Second Striker]], [[Midfielder (football)#Winger|Winger]]

Revision as of 20:49, 14 July 2009

Robin van Persie
Personal information
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Striker, Second Striker, Winger
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 11
Youth career
Excelsior
Feyenoord
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2004 Feyenoord
2004– Arsenal
International career‡
2005– Netherlands
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:32, 7 June 2009 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:32, 7 June 2009 (UTC)

Robin van Persie (born 6 August 1983) is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He occasionally plays as a left/right winger for his country.

The son of two artists, van Persie was encouraged to follow in his parents' footsteps, but he instead preferred football and joined SBV Excelsior's youth squad at the age of 4. He made his breakthrough at hometown club Feyenoord, where he spent three seasons and won the 2002 UEFA Cup. 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. He won the FA Community Shield and the FA Cup in his first season with the London club and won the 2006 Rotterdam Sportsman of the year award. However, his first four years at Arsenal were blighted with injuries, reducing his first team appearances.

Van Persie has 35 caps and 13 goals with the Netherlands and made his senior international debut in 2005. He has participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. He also assisted with the Netherlands qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Robin van Persie was raised in the Kralingen section of east Rotterdam. His mother, José Ras, was a painter, and his father, Bob, a sculptor.[2] He has two sisters, Lilly and Kiki.[3] He was frequently encouraged to become involved in the arts like his parents, but he gravitated toward football instead.

Club career

Feyenoord

Van Persie joined Dutch side SBV Excelsior's youth squad at the age of 4, but left due to conflicts with the coaching staff and signed for Feyenoord.[4] He was quickly promoted into the first team due to injury problems among the squad, and made his debut for the club at seventeen, which was the first of 15 total starts. He received the KNVB Best Young Talent award at the end of the 2001–02 season.

He signed a professional three-and-a-half year deal with Feyenoord at the start of the next season, and scored five goals in a 6–1 Amstel Cup thrashing of AGOVV on 6 February 2003.[5] However, clashes with manager Bert van Marwijk saw van Persie demoted to the reserve squad, and an irate van Marwijk told reporters, "His behaviour made it impossible for him to remain in the squad any longer so he will join the reserve side for the time being."[6] During a match featuring the Feyenoord and Ajax reserves, he was one of several Feyenoord players assaulted by hooligans who had invaded the pitch.[4]

Van Persie's rift with van Marwijk continued when he was sent home on the eve of the 2003 UEFA Super Cup final against Real Madrid after the coach was reportedly displeased with van Persie's body language upon his being asked to warm up for a recent league game.[2] Van Persie finished his tumultuous debut season on the first team, making a total of 28 appearances and scoring eight goals, in addition to finishing runner-up in the KNVB Cup.

Feyenoord unsuccessfully attempted to extend van Persie's contract during the offseason, and his deteriorating relationship with van Marwijk led to his spending most of 2003–04 on the bench. He again played 28 matches, but finished with two fewer goals than the previous season. Feyenoord shopped him at the end of the campaign but found few takers due to van Persie's past disciplinary issues. During the January transfer window, the Eredivisie club opened negotiations with Arsenal, who were seeking a long-term replacement for aging veteran Dennis Bergkamp. Both parties could not agree to terms, and five months later, a deal was finalized and van Persie was sold to Arsenal for £2.75 million, just over half of Feyenoord's original asking price of £5 million.[4][7]

Arsenal

On 17 May 2004, van Persie signed a four-year deal with Arsenal.[8] Manager Arsène Wenger, who planned to convert van Persie from a left winger to a center forward as he had successfully done with star player Thierry Henry,[9] said of his new acquisition, "He can play on the left side of midfield, as a creative player behind the main strikers or as a target man."[10] Arsenal had further padded their stable of strikers in January by signing Spanish forward José Antonio Reyes,[11] leaving the two to battle for playing time. Van Persie made his debut and won a trophy in the process, as he came on as a substitute in the 3–1 FA Community Shield victory over Manchester United on 8 August 2004.[12]

Van Persie with Thierry Henry

Van Persie spent most of his time on the bench during earlier parts of the 2004–05 season, and made his competitive debut on 27 October by scoring Arsenal's opening goal in a 2–1 League Cup win over Manchester City.[13] However, he was sent off for the first time in an Arsenal uniform on 26 February during a 1–1 road draw with Southampton, following a lunge at left back Graeme Le Saux,[14] for which Wenger was seen yelling an obscenity at van Persie from the sidelines. He then later lambasted his charge in the press. "I do not support van Persie today, but he did not look out of control at half-time. When the referee has sent off a home player, he is under pressure, so, if any player had to behave, it was him." Meanwhile, Telegraph sportswriter Clive White described van Persie in his match report as "21 going on nine."[15] Van Persie was consequently benched for a number of games, starting with Arsenal's upcoming FA Cup replay against Sheffield United,[16] and he was reintroduced into the squad only after Henry was out with a calf injury, and his return to the first team saw him score twice in a FA Cup semi-final win over Blackburn Rovers. The rest of van Persie's season was cut short by injury, and he finished with ten goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.[17]

Van Persie's ongoing form earned him the Player of the Month award for November 2005 after eight goals in eight starts,[9] and he was rewarded with a five-year contract extension until 2011 on 4 January.[18] However, two days after signing the contract, van Persie was again wracked with injury after an opponent stepped on his foot and broke his toe during an FA Cup match against Cardiff.[19] Van Persie played the next three matches with a hole cut into his shoe to alleviate the pain until he was finally rested for Arsenal's Premiership match against West Ham United on 1 February.[2] He was an unused substitute in Arsenal's first Champions League final appearance, a 2–1 loss to Barcelona.[20]

Van Persie and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in 2008

The beginning of the 2006–07 season included an airborne volley against Charlton Athletic that Wenger called "the goal of a lifetime"[21][dead link‍] and was later named BBC's Goal of the Month for September,[22] and he capped off the calendar year by being named the 2006 Rotterdam Sportsman of the Year. However, his season ended early for the second time in his career on 21 January, when he fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot while celebrating his late equalizer in a match against Manchester United.[23] He finished with a team-leading 13 goals.

After Henry departed for Barcelona prior to the 2007–08 season, van Persie assumed the role as Arsenal's main striker. Following a streak of seven goals in ten regular-season games, van Persie was sidelined for two months with a knee injury suffered on international duty.[24] He made his comeback in Arsenal's Champions League group stage win over Steaua Bucureşti on 12 December.[25]

Van Persie opened his 2008–09 account on 31 August with a brace in Arsenal's 3–0 league victory over Newcastle United.[26] On 29 October, he scored his fiftieth career Arsenal goal in a 4–4 home draw with North London derby rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but was hit with his first red card of the season on 1 November after knocking down goalkeeper Thomas Sørensen with a shoulder charge in a 2–1 loss to Stoke City. Sorensen later admitted to "teasing" van Persie in an attempt to provoke a reaction.[27] Later on the last day of November he scored a brace against Chelsea to help Arsenal to a 2–1 victory, which they had to come from behind. On 21 December 2008, he scored a spectacular goal against Liverpool which became his second-career BBC Goal of the Month.[citation needed]

With captain Cesc Fàbregas injured and regular stand-in skipper Manuel Almunia rested, van Persie captained Arsenal for the first time on 3 January 2009 for the club's 3–1 third-round FA Cup victory over Plymouth Argyle.[28] Van Persie scored Arsenal's first and third goals, while the second was a result of his cross being deflected into the net by a Plymouth player for an own goal.[29] In January 2009, every Arsenal goal that month was either scored or assisted by van Persie, which earned him the club's player-of-the-month award.[30] His most inspirational display being against Hull City, where he struck the post with a freekick, and provided three assists to his teammates, he later received the man-of-the-match award.

On 24 February, van Persie scored a crucial penalty that earned Arsenal a 1–0 win over A.S. Roma in the Champions League round of sixteen encounter, after he was fouled by defender Philippe Mexès.[31] He followed it up with a fifth Champions League goal by converting another penalty against Villareal in a 3-0 victory.

On the final day of the Premier League, Van Persie scored a brace against Stoke City which guaranteed him for the second time in his career as Arsenal's top scorer. Van Persie had his best season overall for Arsenal as he scored eleven Premier League goals, along with a league-leading eleven assists and a career-best of 20 goals in all competitions.

With only one year remaining of his contract, he was in negotiations with Arsenal about an extention for several months in 2009. Finally it was announced in July that he had signed a new long-term contract with his club, stating "My heart is with Arsenal and I just can't picture myself in a different shirt". [32]

International career

Van Persie (top) and Ruud van Nistelrooy in training prior to Euro 2008

Van Persie earned his first caps for the Netherlands in less than the span of a week, first in a 2–0 2006 World Cup qualifying win over Romania on 4 June 2005,[33][34] and in another qualifier four days later against Finland, which saw him pick up his first international goal in a 4-0 victory.[35]

2006 World Cup

Despite not being a regular starter for Arsenal, van Persie was part of coach Marco van Basten's roster for the 2006 World Cup finals. He played in all four of the Netherlands' matches and scored his only goal in the group stage against Côte d'Ivoire via a free kick as the Oranje were eliminated in the round of sixteen.[36][37]

Euro 2008

Van Persie scored a team-best four Euro 2008 qualifying goals,[38][39] and was deployed as a winger behind lone striker Ruud van Nistelrooy during the tournament after van Basten decided to change to a 4-2-3-1 formation. On 13 June, he scored as a 55th-minute substitute in a 4–1 Group C victory over 2006 World Cup finalists France, and started the next match against Romania, scoring off a pass from Demy de Zeeuw with an excellent volley into the back of the net. He finished with two goals as the Netherlands finished atop their group but again suffered a first knock-out round, second stage elimination.[40]

Post-Euro 2008

Van Persie has scored in the fiendlies he has played in against Russia and Sweden, and has scored a header in a World Cup qualifying match against Scotland, which stirred debate whether he should be taking corners or receiving them. He was injured during that match and was substituted early in the second-half.

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. June 8, 2005 Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland  Finland
0–4
0–4
 2006 World Cup qualification
2. June 16, 2006 Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion, Stuttgart, Germany  Ivory Coast
1–0
2–1
 2006 World Cup
3. August 16, 2006 Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Republic of Ireland  Republic of Ireland
0–4
0–4
 Friendly
4. September 6, 2006 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands  Belarus
1–0
3–0
 Euro 2008 qualification
5. September 6, 2006 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands  Belarus
2–0
3–0
 Euro 2008 qualification
6. October 7, 2006 Vasil Levski Stadium, Sofia, Bulgaria  Bulgaria
1–1
1–1
 Euro 2008 qualification
7. October 11, 2006 Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Albania
1–0
2–1
 Euro 2008 qualification
8. June 13, 2008 Stade de Suisse, Berne, Switserland  France
2–0
4–1
 Euro 2008
9. June 17, 2008 Stade de Suisse, Berne, Switserland  Romania
2–0
2–0
 Euro 2008
10. August 20, 2008 Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow, Russia  Russia
1–0
1–1
 Friendly
11. November 19, 2008 Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Sweden
1–0
3–1
 Friendly
12. November 19, 2008 Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Sweden
2–0
3–1
 Friendly
13. March 28, 2009 Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Scotland
2–0
3–0
 2010 World Cup qualification

Style of play

Despite being naturally left-footed, Van Persie often drifts out to the right-hand side when playing upfront in order to cut inside onto his favourite foot to unleash a shot or cross. He plays in a similar role to the former Arsenal and Holland legend, Dennis Bergkamp, playing just off the main striker where he finds space. He finds this kind of space on the wing and is therefore not an "out and out striker" in the sense that he was actually the Premier League's top assist scorer in the 2008–09 season. Although his goal record significantly improved that year, he is still more of a versatile attacking midfielder. He is Arsenal's first choice penalty, right side corner kick and free-kick taker.

Personal life

During the 2004-05 season, van Persie was accused of rape by a Dutch beauty queen, but charges were eventually dropped due to insufficient evidence following a police investigation.[41][42] While sources claimed he is a Muslim,[43] van Persie has never disclosed his faith in interviews. Van Persie and his Dutch-Moroccan wife Bouchra have one son. They live in London.They have since confirmed that they are expecting a second baby. [44]

Van Persie is a keen admirer of US President Barack Obama, and tries to copy great man's demeanour.[45]

Career statistics

Club performance[10]
Club Season League Cup Europe
Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Feyenoord 2001–02 8 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 15 0 0
2002–03 23 9 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 25 9 0
2003–04 28 6 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 31 6 0
Arsenal 2004–05 26 5 1 9 4 0 6 1 4 41 10
2005–06 24 5 1 7 4 0 7 2 0 38 11 1
2006–07 22 11 7 1 0 0 8 2 1 31 13 8
2007–08 15 7 3 1 0 0 7 2 2 23 9 5
2008–09 28 11 11 6 4 1 10 5 3 44 20 15

(Club statistics correct as of 5 June 2009)

Honours

Feyenoord

Arsenal

Winner

Runner-up

Individual

References

  1. ^ Selectie: Nederlands elftal, www.onsoranje.nl. Retrieved on 12 January 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Young Gunner, timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  3. ^ Robin Van Persie Bio, tv.com. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
  4. ^ a b c "Young man's game". Sunday Times.
  5. ^ FEYENOORD DRINK FROM CUP OF CHEER - feyenoord.com, 2 June 2003. Retrieved on 11 September 2008.
  6. ^ Take care with Persie - The Sun Sport, 29 April 2004. Retrieved on 9 September 2008.
  7. ^ Feyenoord slap £5m price tag on Van Persie - The Telegraph, 20 January 2004. Retrieved on 11 September 2008.
  8. ^ Arsenal win the race to capture £3m Van Persie, Independent Online Edition, 29 April 2004. Retrieved on 1 December 2007.
  9. ^ a b Van Persie hits spot for Wenger - The Guardian, 3 December 2005. Retrieved on 9 November 2008.
  10. ^ a b Robin van Persie - History, soccernet.espn.go.com, accessed 29 September 2007.
  11. ^ CBBC Newsround, Arsenal sign Reyes for record fee, 27 January 2004. Retrieved on 30 November 2007.
  12. ^ BBC Sport, Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd, 8 August 2004. Retrieved on 30 November 2007.
  13. ^ Man City 1-2 Arsenal, BBC Sport, 27 October 2004. Retrieved on 30 November 2007.
  14. ^ Southampton 1-1 Arsenal, BBC Sport, 26 February 2005. Retrieved on 30 November 2008.
  15. ^ Brain is not used by Van Persie - The Telegraph, 26 February 2005. Retrieved on 9 November 2008.
  16. ^ Van Persie wants to make amends - ESPN Soccernet, 11 March 2005. Retrieved on 9 November 2008.
  17. ^ 4thegame Profile. Retrieved on 30 November 2008.
  18. ^ Van Persie signs new Arsenal deal, BBC Sport, 6 January 2006. Retrieved on 30 November 2007.
  19. ^ Arsenal's Van Persie to miss cup tie with broken toe - ESPN Soccernet, 10 January 2006. Retrieved on 9 November 2008.
  20. ^ Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal - BBC Sport, 17 May 2006. Retrieved on 9 November 2008.
  21. ^ Wenger: 'Winner was the goal of a lifetime', Arsenal.com, 30 September 2007. Retrieved on 10 December 2007 (dead link)
  22. ^ Goal of the month, BBC SPORT, 8 January 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  23. ^ Van Persie set to sit out season, BBC SPORT, 30 March 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2007.
  24. ^ Van Persie could be sidelined for a month, Arsenal.com, 20 October 2007. Retrieved on 30 November 2007.
  25. ^ Arsenal 2–1 Steaua Bucharest, BBC SPORT, 12 December 2007. Retrieved on 12 December 2007.
  26. ^ Van Persie double seals winning display - The Guardian, 31 August 2008. Retrieved on 11 September 2008.
  27. ^ Stoke keeper admits: I wound van Persie up to get him red card Northampton Chronicle and Echo, 3 November 2008. Retrieved on 9 November 2008.
  28. ^ FA Cup: Arsenal 3-1 Plymouth - Match Report Arsenal.com, 3 January 2009. Retrieved on 5 January 2009.
  29. ^ Arsenal 3-1 Plymouth BBC SPORT, 3 January 2009. Retrieved on 5 January 2009.
  30. ^ Van Persie is O2/Arsenal Player of the Month, Arsenal.com, 11 February 2009. Retrieved on 15 February 2009.
  31. ^ http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1032053.html?cid=rssfeed&att=
  32. ^ http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/van-persie
  33. ^ 17 Robin van Persie Holland Stats, ITV Sport, World Cup 2006. Retrieved on 11 December 2007.
  34. ^ Soccerbase stats for Romania vs. Holland game
  35. ^ Soccerbase stats for Finland vs. Holland game
  36. ^ Soccerbase stats for Van Persie's World Cup (see bottom of list)
  37. ^ Soccerbase stats for Holland's 2006 World Cup game against Ivory Coast
  38. ^ Soccerbase stats for Albania vs. Holland
  39. ^ Soccerbase stats for Luxembourg vs. Holland
  40. ^ "Gespeelde wedstrijden". KNVB. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
  41. ^ Rape claim Arsenal star released.
  42. ^ Arsenal star held over rape claim
  43. ^ Moxley, Neil (2007-10-28). I pray five times a day, the boys call me beardo...I'll live with it. The Daily Mail. Retrieved on 2009-02-10.
  44. ^ "Van Persie ready to talk to Arsenal about £80k-a-week deal". Mail Online. Associated Newspapers. 2009-06-13. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  45. ^ How Barack Obama inspires Arsenal - Van Persie - inside World Soccer, 28 June 2009. Retrieved on 2 July 2009

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