Tag: Robin Van Persie

Best of the Best…

After a weekend of football, there is always major reaction or should we say overreaction to the events we have witnessed. But that’s football isn’t it? We react to what we see. And how we react as individuals is what makes the debate and dialogue that much more interesting.

This is not about who is the greatest ever footballer. Our Top 10 Best Players in Europe list is about who we think is great right now. The criteria for making the list is based on recent form, goals scored, assists provided and overall performances and general brilliance of each player.

So get mad, get riled up or simply agree with who we think is lighting up Europe from a football perspective.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo = Real Madrid

2. Lionel Messi = Barcelona

3. Robin Van Persie = Arsenal

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic = AC Milan

5. Xavi = Barcelona

6. David Silva = Manchester City

7. Thiago Silva = AC Milan

8. Wayne Rooney = Manchester United

9. Sergio Aguero = Manchester City

10. Robert Lewandowski = Borussia Dortmund

Wrap Him Up In Cotton Wool…

Robin van Persie is magical. Playing injury free for the first time in a long time, the delicious Dutchman is giving Arsenal fans everywhere hope. And with Fabregas and Nasri gone, it appears the shackles have been taken off his feet and he is thriving on being the main man.

For the first time since Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry, Arsenal have a true leader in their captain. Van Persie is putting this team on his back and you can see that being captain for one of the world’s biggest clubs is a role he is relishing.

He has been playing as an out-and-out striker and some would say that it’s not traditionally his best position. And just like fellow Dutchman and Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp, Van Persie has thrived in that #10 role, loving to drop off, find the killer pass and punish teams. Right now, the Gooner nation is loving where he’s playing and he’s scoring goals at will like never before.

But what would happen to the Gunners if Van Persie were to get injured? Where would the goals come from then? Sure Theo Walcott can score a few and when he finds his finishing touch, Gervinho can be a major threat. However, it’s Van Persie’s goals that are bringing Arsenal back from the dead following that 8-2 thrashing at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

Arsenal have a lot of work to do at the back. And should Van Persie get a nick or bump here or there, they would also have a ton of work to do upfront, because without him, they would be lost. They need to protect him, but they also need to play him. Last week he was rested but came off the bench to score two goals in a win over Stoke.

Just a few hours ago on a sunny Saturday afternoon in London, Robin van Persie delivered another spellbinding performance against Chelsea, scoring a hat-trick and leading HIS team to victory once again. Granted Chelsea were woeful in defense, but to go to Stamford Bridge and inspire your team to a 5-3 win after facing so much adversity shows how much of a leader he has become.

Wrap him up in cotton wool Arsenal…

Who needs to be friendly…?

van__persie_682x400_929155aIf a country has qualified for the World Cup, why do they have to play a meaningless friendly? Sure the revenue is good for each nation’s savings account but that’s not how some of the world’s biggest football clubs see it. Once again some key players have returned from international duty with injuries that could have been prevented by not scheduling these needless friendlies.

Chelsea and Arsenal must be fuming today. Two of their best players are crocked because of playing in a friendly that didn’t really mean anything. Frank Lampard has a thigh injury that was apparently caused by a cheap charter flight to Qatar, the location for England’s friendly versus Brazil. Why wasn’t that game played at Wembley at least? Why go to Qatar? Andy why are England making their players sit in baby seats while travelling on business to play for Queen and country? Lampard could be out for at least 3 weeks and the London club are seeking compensation from the F.A.. Good for them I say!

Arsenal’s problems however are far graver and greater than Chelsea’s. While on duty for the Netherlands, Arsenal front man Robin van Persie tore his ankle ligaments and the word is he could be out for the rest of the season. If this is true, it’s a major blow to Arsenal and Van Persie personally after he was having a “Player of the Year” type season. One thing is for sure, Italian defender Chiellini will not be on any Arsenal fans Christmas card list this holiday season.

I don’t want to harp on about the friendlies as I do love my international football. But there does come a time when the football governing body has to be responsible to the club as well as the progression of the game on an international level. As football fans, we’ve all been robbed of watching Robin Van Persie play for the rest of the season. And if you are an Arsenal fan, you now have to hope the club can pull through without him. January transfer marketing anyone?

The evolution of Robin van Persie…

01_VANMAN_280x390_919502aWe have all witnessed the growth and progression of Cesc Fabregas as a world class footballer. There’s no question the Spaniard has solidified his place as one of the best midfielders in the universe. His goal against Tottenham on Saturday was magical and proves that if he wants to turn his talent on like that, he has the ability to do so at any given time. The Arsenal fans are completely aware of his brilliance and the effect he can have on a game. But what of his teammate Robin Van Persie?

This season, Robin Van Persie is proving to Arsene Wenger and the entire Arsenal fan nation that he has matured as a player and is ready and prepared to take on much more responsibility. There is definitely something very different about the Dutchman this term. Van Persie has taken the team on his shoulders and is repaying the faith Wenger and the fans have shown in him. There’s always been an edge to Van Persie’s game, but so far this season it has been controlled and he has been more than affective for the Gunners.

We’ve all seen glimpses of how amazing Van Persie can be. There’s no doubt he has scored some incredible goals and has contributed to much of Arsenal’s beautiful play over the last few years. But there was always a part of his game that let him down. Rash challenges and emotional reactions raised question marks about the maturity of Van Persie. But he seems to have put that behind him this season and he has been able to contain his emotions far better. If he can continue to evolve like this as a player, surely there is a legend in the making at Arsenal?

Not only has Van Persie’s attitude improved, his finishing has been clinical and his overall team play has been unselfish and inspiring. With the departure of Adebayor, it’s as though he has been freed to play his game and in return, he has delivered his best performances in an Arsenal shirt. With Fabregas and Van Persie hitting form at the same time, this could definitely give Arsenal fans hope that they can really make a run for the title this year. Add the world class talent that is Arshavin to the mix, and anything is possible.

Van Persie is ready to take his place among the elite footballers on the planet and in a World Cup year, he could really solidify his status as one of the best. Who knows, perhaps the evolution can become a revolution for Arsenal and the national Dutch team…