Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie
Arsenal FCArsenal FC
Robin van Persie
Date of Birth:6 Aug 1983 (Age 28)
Place of Birth:Rotterdam
Nationality:Netherlands
Height:183 cm.
Weight:71 Kg.
Position:Striker
Squad Number:10
National Team Page: Netherlands
More On :  Netherlands, Robin van Persie
FA Cup: Robin Van Persie, Arsenal - Cardiff (PA)
Being one of the key players at the English side Arsenal, Robin van Persie can be considered the best Dutch player around at the moment. Technically a brilliant forward, the World Cup is the perfect stage to show his exceptional qualities to the whole world.

Van Persie learned his skills on the streets of the Rotterdam quarter Crooswijk. Together with his friends Said Boutahar, Mounir El Hamdaoui and Luigi Bruins he created the basis for his brilliant technique and control over the ball.

Feyenoord was the first real destination in the career of the teenager Van Persie. It was Bert van Marwijk, the current coach of the Dutch national team, who let the youngster make his debut in professional football. Van Persie had a spectacular start to his career, winning the UEFA Cup in 2002. As a starter in the final against Borussia Dortmund, Van Persie played 63 minutes.

Observers were alerted to his talent, but the young Van Persie proved to be a difficult character to handle. As a young player, he once argued with the veteran Pierre van Hooijdonk over a free kick. In the meantime, a certain Arsene Wenger had already discovered this incredibly talented youngster.

Arsenal, famous for their preference to sign young talents, brought Van Persie to London in the summer of 2004. Gifted with a perfect first touch and technique, Van Persie fitted in the short passing game of the Gunners. He is not a genuine goal machine, but his goals are always a joy to watch. For example, watch his spectacular volley from outside the area against Charlton Athletic, 30 September 2006.

His Arsenal period has not brought only happiness. Van Persie has had a couple of serious injuries in London and the only trophy he has won with his team was the FA Cup 2005. The forward, who hoped for lots of trophies to fill his palmares, has always been unhappy with this lack of success.

It was no surprise that a talented player like Van Persie ended up in the Dutch national team in June 2005. Four days after his debut against Romania, the young forward scored his first goal for the Netherlands in the World Cup qualifier against Finland. The Dutch national team also benefitted from the versatility of Van Persie, who was often used as a right winger. The World Cup in Germany brought him one goal, a screamer of a free kick against Ivory Coast.

Euro 2008 gave him two goals in a spectacular group phase. Van Persie hit the back of the net against France and Romania. At this moment the Arsenal forward is the main man, whose name should be filled in first in the Dutch line-up. 

Did you know that:

Robin van Persie is a very good table tennis player? He once played a game against English talent Darius Knight, who beat him 3-11, 4-11.

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