Robin van Persie (Part 3)

Robin van Persie demonstrated his resilience and skill on the field despite facing challenges and controversies. In March 2011, Van Persie faced a controversial moment during Arsenal's Champions League clash with Barcelona at Camp Nou. Despite recovering from an injury, he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for allegedly time-wasting by taking a shot at goal after the whistle was blown for offside. Van Persie criticized the referee decision, branding it a total joke and attributing his action to the crowd noise, which made it difficult for him to hear the whistle.
Despite the setback, Van Persie continued to make significant contributions to Arsenal's campaign. He scored crucial goals against West Bromwich Albion, Blackpool, and Bolton, setting records in the process. Notably, he became the first player to score in seven successive Premier League away games, breaking Didier Drogba previous record.


Van Persie goal-scoring prowess was evident once again as he extended his Premier League record by scoring in an eighth consecutive away match against Stoke City. He continued to find the back of the net in the last home game against Aston Villa and the final game away to Fulham, bringing his total tally for the season to a personal record of 18 league goals.
Despite being sidelined due to injury for part of the season, Van Persie's exceptional performance earned him recognition. He was named the Premier League Player of the Month for April and received accolades from Arsenal, being voted as the second-best player of the season on the club's official website. Additionally, he was awarded the team Goal of the Season for his memorable strike against Barcelona in the Champions League, showcasing his talent and impact on the pitch.


Robin van Persie's leadership and goal-scoring prowess reached new heights as he led Arsenal both on and off the field. Following the departure of Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie was appointed as the club captain at the beginning of the season. He made an immediate impact by scoring crucial goals, including his 100th goal for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers, becoming the 17th player to achieve this milestone for the club.
Van Persie goal-scoring form continued throughout the season, with notable performances against Sunderland, Stoke City, and Chelsea, where he scored a memorable hat-trick. His consistency earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for October 2011.
Van Persie's influence extended to the Champions League, where he helped Arsenal secure victories against Borussia Dortmund and advance to the knockout phase.


As the season progressed, Van Persie's goal-scoring exploits remained crucial for Arsenal success. He scored important goals against Everton, Aston Villa, and Queens Park Rangers, finishing the year with an impressive total of 35 goals, just one short of Alan Shearer's Premier League record for goals scored in a calendar year.
The following year began with Van Persie continuing his goal scoring form, with standout performances against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers, where he scored a hat-trick and became Arsenal 10th highest scorer in the club history.


Despite Arsenal inconsistent form, Van Persie remained instrumental in key matches, such as the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur and the away win against Liverpool, where he scored both goals.
Van Persie concluded the season as the Premier League top goal scorer with 30 goals and solidified his place in Arsenal history as the clubs 8th all-time top scorer with 132 goals.
However, amidst speculation about his future, Van Persie announced in July 2012 that he would not be signing a new contract with Arsenal, marking the end of an era for the club and its captain.


Robin van Persie's transfer to Manchester United in August 2012 marked a new chapter in his career, and he wasted no time making his mark at his new club.
After finalizing his move to United, Van Persie made his debut as a substitute against Everton, and just five days later, he scored his first goal for the club in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Fulham. His impact was immediate and profound.
Van Persie's first hat trick for Manchester United came in a dramatic 3-2 comeback win against Southampton, where he not only completed his hat-trick but also marked his 100th Premier League goal, showcasing his clinical finishing ability.


He continued to demonstrate his importance to the team by scoring crucial goals, including a late penalty winner against Liverpool and a brace in a Champions League victory over CFR Cluj, both goals assisted by Wayne Rooney.
In subsequent matches, Van Persie displayed his versatility and technique, scoring goals with finesse and precision. Notably, he scored against his former club Arsenal and secured a last-minute winner in the Manchester derby against City, ending their unbeaten run in the Premier League season.Despite a brief goal drought, Van Persie remained a vital contributor to Manchester United's success, scoring important goals and demonstrating resilience after overcoming injuries, such as the hip injury sustained against Queens Park Rangers.
Throughout his debut season at Manchester United, Van Persie's impact was undeniable, as he played a pivotal role in their pursuit of silverware and solidified his reputation as one of the premier strikers in world football.


During the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, Robin van Persie showcased his goal-scoring prowess by netting four goals, emerging as the team's top scorer. However, his role within the Dutch national team underwent a tactical shift during the tournament itself.
Under the management of Marco van Basten, the Dutch team transitioned to a 4–2–3–1 formation, with van Persie often deployed as a winger behind lone striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. This tactical adjustment meant that van Persie had to compete with Arjen Robben for a starting spot on the wing, as midfielders Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart were preferred in the central positions.


Despite the competition for his position, van Persie made significant contributions to the team's success during the tournament. He made a notable impact as a substitute in the group stage match against France, scoring a goal in a convincing 4–1 victory. In the following match against Romania, van Persie started and demonstrated his exceptional technical ability by scoring a stunning volley off a pass from Demy de Zeeuw.
Van Persie's two goals helped the Netherlands secure the top spot in their group. However, despite their strong showing in the group stage, the Dutch team suffered yet another disappointment in the knockout stage, facing elimination in the second round. Despite the team's early exit from the tournament, van Persie's performances demonstrated his skill and versatility on the international stage, further establishing himself as a key figure for the Dutch national team.

References

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