Robin Van Persie picks up PFA Player of the Year

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie picked up the PFA Player of the Year award last night.

The Dutch star has almost single-handedly kept Arsenal in the race for Champions League football this season after scoring 27 goals in the English top flight this season.

Vital

The Dutchman’s importance to Arsenal this season has been very well documented.

If he hasn’t played well the Gunners have failed to turn up. Not only has he scored goals, he has also created them for his teammates.

Without Van Persie Arsenal would probably be struggling in midtable in the Premier League this season and not in third place still in the hunt for a place in next seasons Champions League.

Special

Van Persie revealed how special it was to receive acknowledgement from his fellow professionals by telling Sky Sports: “ If other people are saying it, it is special, but it is even more special if your opponents are saying it,”

“ It is very special because you are playing against them week in week out and every single player does everything to win and in the end if they make up their minds that I’m the best player it is a big honour.”

Van Persie was also quick to praise his teammates by saying: “Without them I could not have achieved it. said. For example Theo Walcott, he has given me more than 12 assists and I do really appreciate that.”

Captain

Van Persie has matured a lot in the last couple of years. A lot of people were surprised when he was handed the Gunners captaincy by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger but he has clearly shown he is up to captaining the side.

He has shown leadership skills by example, rather than shouting and pointing. When he does well it inspires his teammates to do well.

Right

The 28 year-old has had a sensational year there is no question about that and in my opinion was the right choice. His form and goalscoring form was simply hard to ignore.

The fact that he has been transformed successfully from a second striker into a main centre forward is a testament to the players ability. Even Van Persie himself had doubts about his ability to play as a number nine.

However, Arsene Wenger managed to convince him that he could play that role and after a tricky first few games he has excelled as the main man up front for the Gunners. The move was a masterstroke and has got the best out of Van Persie.

Future

Unfortunately for the Gunners their main mans future is in doubt. Van Persie’s contract runs out in just over a years time and he has said he will leave it till the summer to discuss a new one. The Dutchman obviously has an affinity with Arsenal having been at the club since 2004.

However he is currently at the peak of his powers and will never be in a better position to move elsewhere. At 28 years of age he is in his prime and has stated that he wants to win trophies.

The current Arsenal team is not looking like they are going to challenge for the big trophies in the near future, even after their late recovery this season.

Move

I would be very surprised if Robin Van Persie was still at Arsenal next season. The Dutchman may love the club but I think the pull of trophies and more money will be too much for the striker to resist. Van Persie leaving would be a big blow for Arsenal but for the sake of his career he may need to move on.

Will Robin Van Persie leave Arsenal this summer?