Top 25 Arsenal players of the Premier League era - #14

Sports Mole's countdown of the 25 greatest Arsenal players in the Premier League continues with number 14 - Robin van Persie.

Robin van Persie

Arsenal's Dutch striker Robin Van Persie celebrates scoring his goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Everton at The Emirates Stadium in north London, England on December 10, 2011© Getty Images

Robin van Persie may have sullied his reputation with Arsenal fans by moving to Manchester United in 2012 after being named club captain, but prior to that he was one of the deadliest strikers the club has had in the Premier League era.

Signed as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp in 2004, injuries meant that Van Persie had a stop-start first few years at the club, although when he was fit he showed glimpses of his quality - such as his incredible volley from the edge of the penalty area against Charlton Athletic in 2006.

It wasn't until the 2011-12 campaign that Arsenal fans truly saw the best of Van Persie, though. Having shaken off his injury problems, the Dutchman was an ever-present in the Premier League and scored 30 goals in the process to win the Golden Boot.

The controversial move to Manchester United followed, by which point he had scored 96 goals in 194 Premier League appearances and 132 in 277 across all competitions for the club.

Van Persie missed out on the Premier League title during his time in North London, though, and only had the 2005 FA Cup to show from his eight-year stay at the club.

A general view of the outside of the stadium ahead of the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on May 20, 2015
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