The Dutch Man "RVP"

'Robin van Persie is a vital player for them. It's clear that the difference is this. He has changed the condition.

'We wanted him in the summer because we knew he would be an important player. He is totally different from our other strikers.’

Roberto Mancini’s fierce desire to land then Arsenal star Robin Van Persie in the summer transfer window was no secret. And his above words highlight just how much they miss him in their side this season.

Van Persie, who chose City’s neighbors United as his destination, has been an absolute revelation for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side, playing an extremely instrumental role in their having a healthy 7-point lead at the top of the table.

Last season, he was the only major contributor in Arsenal’s side that finished third, almost solely because of his efforts. He bagged the Golden Boot award with 30 goals in the Premier League, establishing himself as the top striker in England. His departure in the summer was somewhat inevitable, as he seeked pastures new in a bid to win trophies, something he had been unable to achieve with Arsenal.

Signing for Manchester United may have gone down terribly with the Arsenal faithful, but it can be safely said that it has been one of the best decisions of his career. With 16 goals in 21 games, he is the Premier League’s leading scorer. Not only that, he has also come up with some monumental goals when it comes to the title race, scoring the winner against City at the Etihad, the winner against Liverpool at Anfield and also one in a 3-2 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. So many times the savior of Arsenal last season, Van Persie has come to the Red Devils’ rescue on numerous occasions too this season, most notably when he netted a hat trick including 2 goals in the dying minutes in a 3-2 win away at Southampton in the early part of the season.


The Dutchman arrived in England for a meager fee of 2.75 million pounds from Eridivisie side Feyernood in 2004. He was converted into a centre forward from a left winger by Arsene Wenger. With Thierry Henry’s injury problems in the 2006-07 season and his subsequent departure, Van Persie became Arsenal’s main striker. 

Although he was plagued with loads of injury problems, Wengerstuck with him, ultimately transforming him into one the best strikers in the land. It was a pity to see him leave the Gunners after they had stood by him for so long but on the other hand, it was also understandable given the player’s ambition to win trophies, something he is well on the way to doing at United.


He came to the rescue for United again on Saturday in the FA Cup, scoring a brilliant equalizer in a 2-2 draw away at West Ham, thereby helping to force a replay. One thing’s for sure, this is certainly not the last time he will score a vital goal for United. And the rate he’s going at the moment, there is no stopping the Reds of Manchester from winning the Premier League title.