Robin van Persie

Infobox Football biography
playername = Robin van Persie


fullname = Robin van Persie
height = height|m=1.88 [ [http://es.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/players/player=53130/index.html 7 - Robin van Persie] , es.euro2008.uefa.com. Retrieved September 19 2008.]
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1983|8|6
cityofbirth = Rotterdam
countryofbirth = Netherlands
currentclub = Arsenal
clubnumber = 11
position = Winger, Striker, Attacking midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs = Excelsior
Feyenoord
years = 2001–2004
2004–
clubs = Feyenoord
Arsenal
caps(goals) = 59 (15)
93 (31)
nationalyears = 2003
2005–
nationalteam = Netherlands U21
Netherlands
nationalcaps(goals) = 01 0(0)
29 (10)
pcupdate = 14:02, 4 October 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 03:41, 31 August 2008 (UTC)

Robin van Persie (born August 6 1983 in Rotterdam) is a Dutch footballer who plays for English Premier League team Arsenal F.C. and the Dutch national team.

Biography

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. [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-2047109,00.html Young Gunner] , timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved September 19 2008.] He has two sisters, Lilly and Kiki. [http://www.tv.com/robin-van-persie/person/446050/biography.html Robin Van Persie Bio] , tv.com. Retrieved November 16 2007.] He was frequently encouraged to become involved in the arts like his parents, but he gravitated toward football instead.

Club career

Early career

Van Persie joined Dutch side SBV Excelsior's youth squad in 2001, but left due to conflicts with the coaching staff and signed for Feyenoord.cite web | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-1378139,00.html | title=Young man’s game | work=Sunday Times] 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 fifteen total starts. He was awarded 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, but clashes with manager Bert van Marwijk saw van Persie demoted to the reserve squad. During a 2003 match featuring the Feyenoord and Ajax reserves, he was one of several Feyenoord players assaulted by hooligans who had invaded the pitch. He finished the season with the first team, making a total of twenty-eight appearances and scoring eight goals, in addition to finishing as runner-up in the Dutch Cup. However, van Persie was sent home on the eve of the 2003 UEFA Super Cup final against Real Madrid by van Marwijk, who was reportedly displeased with van Persie's body language after being asked to warm up for a recent league game.

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 in 2003–04, 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. Arsenal F.C. made a move to sign van Persie during the January 2004 transfer window, but both parties could not agree to terms. Five months later, a deal was finalized.

Arsenal

On May 17 2004, Van Persie moved to Arsenal for a fee believed to be in the range of £3 million. He signed a deal which would keep him at "The Gunners" for four years. [http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/premiership/article58112.ece Arsenal win the race to capture £3m Van Persie] , Independent Online Edition, April 29 2004. Retrieved on 1 December 2007.] Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said of Van Persie, "He can play on the left side of midfield, as a creative player behind the main strikers or as a target man". He was also touted by many as a long-term replacement of Dennis Bergkamp. Arsenal had recently signed another young forward, in the way of Spanish striker José Antonio Reyes, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/sport/newsid_3435000/3435101.stm CBBC Newsround] , Arsenal sign Reyes for record fee, January 27 2004. Retrieved on November 30 2007.] which led to hot competition for places. Despite this, the young Dutchman immediately made his debut as a substitute for the team in the 3–1 FA Community Shield victory over Manchester United on August 8 2004. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/3532952.stm BBC Sport] , Arsenal 3-1 Man Utd, August 8, 2004. Retrieved on November 30 2007.]

Van Persie spent most of his time on the bench during earlier parts of the 2004–05 season, though quickly he earned his competitive debut against Manchester City in the League Cup. On October 27, he scored Arsenal's opening goal in the game to secure a 2–1 win. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/3947065.stm Man City 1-2 Arsenal] , BBC Sport, October 27 2004. Retrieved on November 30 2007.] After a run in the first team, February saw his season take a turn for the worse, as he was sent off against Southampton which consequently cost Arsenal two points, and caused Wenger to display uncharacteristic anger in public with a player. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4279667.stm Southampton 1-1 Arsenal] , BBC Sport, February 26 2005. Retrieved on November 30.] It looked as if Van Persie had cemented his place on the bench. However, Van Persie redoubled his efforts in training during his subsequent suspension, and was reintroduced in to the team when injuries to Thierry Henry forced Wenger's hand. His return to the first team saw him score numerous goals, including two important goals in the FA Cup semi-final against Blackburn Rovers to secure victory for Arsenal. He also scored the vital breakthrough goal against West Bromwich Albion to help Arsenal secure second place in the Premiership after the Albion defence had proved difficult to break down. Continuing to enjoy good form, his season was interrupted again as he suffered an injury. Despite this, he managed to score 10 goals in 40 appearances in his first season with Arsenal. [http://www.4thegame.com/club/arsenal-fc/player-profile/3211/robinvan_persie.html 4thegame Profile] , retrieved on November 30.]

The summer which followed saw Robin van Persie receive his first full international Dutch cap [http://worldcup.itv.com/Teams/Story_Page/0,15843,6959_1008685,00.html 17 Robin van Persie Holland Stats] , ITV Sport, World Cup 2006. Retrieved on December 11 2007.] against Romania on June 4 2005. Van Persie was subbed on during the second half of the game, helping Holland to a 2–0 win. [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=453273 Soccerbase stats for Romania vs. Holland game] ] Four days later, Van Persie played for Holland against Finland. Again, he was used as a second half substitute, but he also managed Holland's fourth goal of the game, sealing a 4–0 victory for his country. [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=453632 Soccerbase stats for Finland vs. Holland game] ]

Van Persie scored in the first game of the 2005–06 season and he continued to show good form, winning the prestigious Player of the Month award in November after scoring six goals in just four starts. He suffered from a brief knee injury over the Christmas period, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4552498.stm Arsenal face Van Persie concern] , December 22 2005. Retrieved on November 30.] but on January 4, 2006, his good form was rewarded in the form of a five-year contract extension until 2011. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4588692.stm Van Persie signs new Arsenal deal] , BBC Sport, January 6 2006. Retrieved on November 30 2007.] He finished the season having played in 38 games, and despite largely being used as a substitute, he scored 11 goals. Van Persie became known as a rare player who could make a goal out of nothing.

Van Persie begun the 2006–07 season in great form. Among numerous goals, he scored an outstanding airborne volley against Charlton Athletic, [http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=418968&lid=NewsHeadline Wenger: 'Winner was the goal of a lifetime'] , Arsenal.com, September 30 2007. Retrieved on December 10 2007.] which turned out to be BBC's Goal of the Month. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/match_of_the_day/6231959.stm Goal of the month] , BBC SPORT, January 8 2007. Retrieved December 8 2007.] Another notable contribution was made during the 2–1 loss to Fulham FC, in which Van Persie scored a powerful free kick from 30 yards. His good form continued for Holland during the Euro 2008 qualifiers too, as he helped his country to a 1–0 win against Luxembourg on September 2. [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=497543 Soccerbase stats for Luxembourg vs. Holland] ] He also scored Holland's first goal during their 2–1 win against Albania on October 11. [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=508667 Soccerbase stats for Albania vs. Holland] ] These impressive performances led to Van Persie being named Rotterdam Sportsman of the year for 2006. Van Persie continued to illustrate his importance to Arsenal after an impressive run during the Christmas period, in which he scored five goals in four games. However, his season was soon ended by injury. In a match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on 21 January 2007, Van Persie came on as a substitute and scored the equalizer in the 84th minute. Though in doing so, he fractured his fifth metatarsal in his right foot while celebrating; an injury that kept him out for the remainder the end of the season. Despite this, he finished as Arsenal's top scorer for the season with 13 goals in 30 appearances. [cite web | title=Van Persie set to sit out season | work=BBC Sport | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6301085.stm | accessdate=March 30 | accessyear=2007 ]

Following the departure of Arsenal star striker Thierry Henry prior to the 2007–08 season, Van Persie was expected to assume the role as the main striker of the club. He showed good form in the pre-season Emirates Cup, scoring the winning goal in Arsenal's 2–1 victory over Internazionale, a goal described by one journalist as "of sublime execution". [ [http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=479265&CPID=8&clid=3&lid=&title=Magic+man+Van+seals+win&channel=& Sky Sports - Magic man Van seals win] ] He also scored the winning goal against Ajax in the Amsterdam Tournament. Arsenal won 1–0 and lifted the Amsterdam Cup. Following this, he scored in a flurry of games, quickly becoming Arsenal's most important player. In the opening game of the season, Van Persie scored a late penalty to equalize the score against Fulham. In their next premier league match versus Blackburn Rovers he scored another goal. He also snatched a goal in Arsenal's 1–0 victory over Steau. After scoring a perfect header at Upton Park he broke Arsenal's deadlock against West Ham. He later went on to score two against Sunderland. One of them was a sublime freekick. He later scored seven goals in 10 games, but he was again struck by a knee injury after falling awkwardly while on international duty with Holland. [http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?thisNav=News&article=483064&lid=NewsHeadline Van Persie could be sidelined for a month] , Arsenal.com, October 20, 2007. Retrieved on November 30, 2007.] The injury kept him out for two months, and he eventually made his comeback against Steaua Bucharest on December 12 2007, setting up Arsenal's second in the process. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7134129.stm Arsenal 2-1 Steaua Bucharest] , BBC SPORT, December 12, 2007. Retrieved on December 12, 2007.] He then came on in the next game against Chelsea F.C. and had a goal disallowed. It was then confirmed that he would be out for a few more weeks. He made yet another come back in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur but it was clear he was not match fit, and was substituted at half-time. He returned to first team action against Wigan Athletic on March 9 2008, coming on in the second half for Nicklas Bendtner. After the injury, van Persie finally scored a goal from the penalty spot against Bolton Wanderers F.C. at the Reebok Stadium. The match ended with Arsenal winning 3–2. He then scored another goal at Pride Park against Derby County. The match ended with Arsenal winning 6–2. The new season began with van Persie on the bench against West Brom. Following a 1-0 win Arsenal and van Persie showed a poor display and thus lost to Fulham. In the next game, van Persie opened his account with a fine brace against Newcastle. His form showed no mercy against Blackburn opening in the 8th minute of a 4-0 win. That marked the 8th goal in 6 games against Blackburn.

Although the Gunners fell to Hull City on 28 October, Robin managed to help Arsenal redeem themselves with two fine finishes in the 4-0 romp at home against Porto in the Champions League three days later.

International career

2006 World Cup

Despite not being an automatic first choice to start for Arsenal, Van Persie was selected as one of the Netherlands' forwards for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by national coach Marco Van Basten. Though Holland were eliminated after four games in the tournament, Van Persie played in each match, [http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=30289&seasonid=135 Soccerbase stats for Van Persie's World Cup (see bottom of list)] ] even managing a goal in the group match against Côte d'Ivoire, [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=485632 Soccerbase stats for Holland's 2006 World Cup game against Ivory Coast] ] a free kick in the 23rd minute.

Euro 2008

On June 13, Van Persie came on as a 55th minute substitute in the Netherlands second Group C match, a 4–1 victory over World Cup finalists France. Within four minutes he had scored to make the game 2–0 for his team after a pirouette and twirl from Ruud van Nistelrooy unleashed a run up the flank from 46th minute substitute Arjen Robben. On June 17, Van Persie was named starter for the group stage closing match against Romania. In the 87th minute, he picked up an elevated pass from the right flank provided by Demy de Zeeuw, passed over Romania's Cosmin Contra and netted a fine close-range volley with his left foot. [cite web | title=Gespeelde wedstrijden | publisher=KNVB | url=http://knvb.nl/oranje/selectie/spelers/detail/gesp-wedstr?player_id=20030901143325607 | accessdate=2007-05-16 ]

International goals

"(International statistics correct as of June 14, 2008)"

Career awards and honours

Club

* UEFA Cup: 2002

* FA Community Shield: 2004
* FA Cup: 2005
* UEFA Champions League Runner-Up: 2006
* Emirates Cup: 2007
* Amsterdam Tournament: 2007, 2008

Individual

* FA Premier League Player of the Month: November 2005
* Goal of the Month (England): September 2006 vs Charlton

References

External links

* [http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/robin-van-persie Profile] at Arsenal.com
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* [http://www.voetbalstats.nl/nedxi/sp1547.html van Persie's Netherland stats] at voetbalstats.nl nl icon
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* [http://www.vidtory.com/tribute-to-robin-van-persie.html Goals by Robin van Persie]

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Persondata
NAME=Van Persie, Robin
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Professional football player
DATE OF BIRTH=August 7, 1983
PLACE OF BIRTH=Rotterdam, Netherlands
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=