Robin's Rockets - A Top 10

After another swashbuckling goal against Sunderland over the weekend, one has to wonder whether Robin Van Persie's left peg isn't really some sort of explosive bionic device grafted onto his hip by the Cyborg Lizard Overlords that rule our world. The young Dutchman says that Arsene Wenger watched him 40 times before he was signed, and that there was an entire development planned mapped out for him in his Arsenal career.

Well the plan seems to be taking shape quite brilliantly. Despite not playing for most of the first 6-8 months that he spent in London, and constant injury problems, Van Persie has scored 41 goals in 119 appearances. That's a ratio of just under 1 every 3 games, and when you consider that he spent much of his first two years making substitute appearances and playing second fiddle to Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Jose Reyes, then that's not bad at all.

He's scored 7 goals in 11 games this season, and his goal last Sunday was by far the pick of them. Unbelievable technique, power and precision. Craig Gordon (Britain's most expensive goalkeeper) had no chance.

Well, it got me thinking about the Dutchman's other stunners in his brief Arsenal career (and there have been a few), so I decided to put together a Top 10, with video where possible. Enjoy!

1. Arsenal 2-1 Charlton - Premier League - 2006/07 - WATCH
Easily Van Persie's best goal, and last season's goal of the season. It was an incredible volley from Arsenal's number 11. Hleb weighted a perfect ball through for Eboue running down the wing, he in turn crossed to the edge of the box, and Van Persie hammered in a volley at shoulder height.

2. Arsenal 2-1 Inter Milan - Emirates Cup - 2007/08 - WATCH
Despite it only being a pre-season friendly, this goal can't count as being anything but brilliant. Arsenal fought back from being a goal down, and Van Persie scored the winner with a piece of ingenuity that is difficult to comprehend even in slow motion. Standing near the right-touchline (as he so often does when scoring spectacular goals), the Dutchman somehow turned the entire Inter defence inside out before drilling the ball right-footed past Julio Cesar, high at the near post.

3. Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn - Premier League - 2005/06 - WATCH
Coming on as a substitute, Robin once again produces one of his right-wing extravaganzas. Getting the ball just past the half-line, he twists and turns and works his way down the wing, before cutting in past 3 players and thumping an unstoppable shot past Brad Friedel.

4. Arsenal 3-2 Sunderland - Premier League - 2007/08 - WATCH
Van Persie's deadball exploits have come on nicely, with some vital goals over the last 2 seasons. Sunday's opener against Sunderland was probably the pick of the lot, a shot struckwith incredible pace and power, giving the goalkeeper no chance to even move. 77 km/h is what we've been told the speed was.

5. Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa - Premier League - 2005/06 - WATCH
Yet again from his favoured position near the right touchline, and showing exquisite close control to outwit Sorensen and a few defenders, before scoring an acute, powerful near-post shot.

6. Fulham 2-1 Arsenal - Premier League - 2006/07 - WATCH
Not a great result for the Gunners overall, but Van Persie at least gives them a chance with this vicious free-kick. It's from a similar position to the one against Sunderland, and although it's nowhere close to as powerful, it swerves a lot more.

7. Arsenal 2-1 Wigan - Carling Cup - 2005/06 - WATCH
Another excellent free kick, but this one is more about technique and precision. It was a vital goal to give Arsenal the lead against Wigan in the 2nd Leg of their Carling Cup semi-final, and it was a perfect over-the-wall-and-back-down dipper.

8. Arsenal 3-0 Blackburn - FA Cup - 2004/05 - WATCH
Arsenal were 1-0 ahead in a very tight game, when Van Persie came on as a late substitute to take a short pass from Vieira, turn brilliantly, slalom past the Blackburn defence and put Arsenal 2-0 up. Not one of his most spectacular goals, but a great display of the touch, technique and awareness that he has. He then scored Arsenal's third, only to be elbowed in the face by Andy Todd as he wheeled away to celebrate.

9. Arsenal 6-2 Blackburn - Premier League - 2006/07 - WATCH
Yet another Van Persie goal against Blackburn, yet again from that spot out on the right. This time he completely rips apart his compatriot Andre Ooijer before thumping one past Friedel. Van Persie is one person that Friedel has been powerless against, and he has scored 7 against them in the last 3 years or so.

10. Arsenal 1-1 Southampton - Premier League - 2004/05 - WATCH
To round off the Top 10, we have Robin's first goal for the club, another typical effort cutting in from the right. It was a sign of the character and talent to come, because he came on as a late sub with Arsenal chasing the game, and you can see him demanding the ball, and oozing confidence in his own ability to carve out the chance the way he did.