Arsenal: Rating Robin Van Persie's Performances from the Start of the Season

Robin van Persie has epitomized everything Arsenal stands for this season, with breathtaking and scintillating displays that have propelled the club to greater heights this campaign. He joined Arsenal a long while ago, but his career was blighted by several injuries that denied the club of his services.

2011 was a year van Persie announced himself as a force to be reckoned with in world football, with an amazing goal haul that almost saw him surpass the great Alan Shearer’s Premier League record that stood at 36 goals. However, he set a new Premier League goal scoring record in Arsenal, usurping Thierry Henry’s previous milestone that stood at 34 goals.

Van Persie has been given an award for hitting the 20-goal mark and, provided he remains injury-free, he’s odds on to soar even higher. Despite the fact that the season hasn’t reached its climax, I’ve decided to rate van Persie’s performances this season in a chronological order.

Enjoy!

AUGUST

The month of August was a very tumultuous period in the world of Arsenal as the fans witnessed the exit of an icon, a stalwart and a greedy twat. The month also saw Robin van Persie given the captain’s armband by Arsene Wenger, and he certainly led by example because he scored 40 percent of Arsenal’s goals while Theo Walcott had 60 percent.

When Arsenal visited the Sports Direct Arena to take on Newcastle, van Persie was toothless in attack (6.0). He wasn’t available for selection in the first leg against Udinese following the red card he received at the Nou Camp. He was toothless yet again when Arsenal hosted Liverpool (6.0), he opened his goal scoring account in the second leg against Udinese (7.5) and he missed a penalty, but scored a goal in the 8-2 drubbing in the hands of Manchester United(6.5).

Van Persie had an average of 6.5 in the four games he played in August.

SEPTEMBER

Arsenal picked themselves up from the disappointments of August, but the club received boosts in the form of the five deadline day signings that were brought into the squad.

Andre Santos’ arrival has been a breath of fresh air as Arsenal now has a full-back that can offer a whole lot in attack as well as remain responsible at the back. Per Mertesacker has added calmness and coordination to a usually panicky Arsenal defense.

Mikel Arteta has been a blessing to Arsenal, as he has provided the perfect balance in the midfield. Yossi Benayoun’s wit and versatility has been a tool that has been exploited by Wenger and Park Chu-Young’s finish against Bolton was a goal made in dreams.

Van Persie was highly unlucky against Swansea (6.5), put up a virtuoso performance against Borussia Dortmund (8.0), was profligate in attack against Blackburn, but supplied an assist for Marouane Chamakh (6.5), had a breather against Shrewsbury Town, smashed in a magnificent hattrick against Bolton (10.0) and came off the bench to no great effect against Olympiakos(6.5).

Van Persie had an average of 7.5 in the five games he played in September.

OCTOBER

Arsenal began October on a sad note following a painful defeat to fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspurs, but the Gunners went on a consistent run winning every other game the month had to offer.

Van Persie was a bit isolated against Tottenham (6.5), spared Arsenal’s blushes with a well-taken free kick against Sunderland (8.5), didn’t really come into the party against Marseille in the Stade Velodrome (6.5), came off the bench to prove his worth in gold against Stoke (8.5)and smashed in a Van-tastic hat-trick against Chelsea in Stamford Bridge (10.0).

Van Persie had an average rating of 8.0 in the five games he played in October.

NOVEMBER

Arsenal maintained the consistent run it began in October and did well to carry it into the month of November. Van Persie came off the bench to no great effect against Marseille (6.5), he scored a goal and handed two assists against West Brom (9.0), showed his predatory skills against Norwich (8.0), scored two brilliant goals against Dortmund (8.0) and was unlucky not to score against Fulham (7.0).

Van Persie had an average rating of 7.7 in the five games he played in November.

DECEMBER

Arsenal had a great run of results in the month of December, but it was dented by the disappointing performance at Athens and the exit from the Carling Cup quarter finals following a loss to Manchester City.

Van Persie scored a goal and supplied two assists when Arsenal played Wigan (9.0), scored another Van-tastic goal against Everton (8.0), linked up play well against Manchester City(7.0), scored a penalty and provided an assist against Aston Villa (7.5), was frustrated by Wayne Hennessey against Wolves (7.0) and ended the year on a high with a well-taken goal against Queens Park Rangers (7.0).

Van Persie had an average rating of 7.5 in the six games he played in December.

JANUARY

This is a month every Arsenal fan would want to forget quickly, because the club produced performances that prompted a faction of the fans to request the manager’s head on a plate…literally speaking. Arsenal went on an embarrassing run that saw them remain without a win in 2012 till the demolition of Blackburn in the next month.

Van Persie put up his worst performance so far this season against Fulham (6.0), scored a nice goal against Swansea (7.0), scored another beautiful goal against Manchester United (7.5), showed his composure to score two penalties against Aston Villa (8.0) and he hit the woodwork twice against Bolton (7.0).

Despite Arsenal’s shortcomings, van Persie had an average rating of 7.1 in January.

It would be too early to rate van Persie in February because he has played only one game, but it’s fair to say that he put up a 10.0 performance with another magnificent hat-trick.

These ratings have shown Robin van Persie’s importance to Arsenal and he already has an amazing tally of 28 goals which can be split into 22 Premier League goals, four Champions League goals and two FA Cup goals.

We may not have the same ratings for every game, but feel free to share yours with your comments.

Here’s to Robin van Persie, Arsenal’s perpetual goal scoring machine of the first kind.