Robin van Persie born 6 August 1983 is a Dutch footballer. He plays for Arsenal and the Dutch national team as a creative forward. He is a youth product of Feyenoord.Van Persie is highly regarded for his dribbling and shooting technique, but has become prone to injury.Van Persie is also a set piece specialist and a vast number of his assists come from both corners and freekicks. Van Persie has become a pivotal figure for club and country and this was recognized when he was named Arsenal Player of The Season for the 2008–09 season.Van Persie's 50th Premier League strike made him only the fourth Dutchman to reach 50 goals in England's top division along with Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The son of two artists, van Persie was encouraged to follow in his parents' footsteps, but he instead preferred football and joined SBV Excelsior's youth squad. He made his breakthrough at his hometown club Feyenoord, where he spent three seasons and won the 2002 UEFA Cup. He was named the Dutch Football Talent of the Year for the 2001-02 season.[18] Disagreements with coach Bert van Marwijk culminated in a change of club and van Persie moved to Premier League side Arsenal for £2.75 million in 2004 as a long-term replacement for Dennis Bergkamp.He won the FA Community Shield and the FA Cup in his first season with the London club and went on to win the 2006 Rotterdam Sportsman of the year award. Van Persie has been named Premier League Player of the Month twice. Van Persie topped the goal assists leader board with 11 assists in the 2008–09 Premier League.
Van Persie has over 50 caps and has scored 19 goals for the Netherlands and made his senior international debut in 2004. He has participated in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and Euro 2008
Personal information
Full name: Robin van Persie
Date of birth: 6 August 1983 (1983-08-06)
Place of birth: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Height: 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position: Striker/Second Striker
Club information
Current club: Arsenal
Number: 10
Youth career
1998–1999 Excelsior
1999–2001 Feyenoord
Senior career*
2001–2004 Feyenoord 59 (15 gol)
2004– Arsenal 146 (60 gol)
National team‡
2004– Netherlands 52 (19 gol)
Personal lifeVan Persie's father brought him up as a single parent.He grew up in a rough neighbourhood of Rotterdam alongside its large immigrant population.Van Persie is married to Bouchra, a Dutch-Moroccan.The couple have a son named Shaqueel, and a daughter named Dina Layla. The family live in Hampstead, North London.
Van Persie was accused of raping a Dutch beauty queen in 2005.He was released without being charged and later said the two weeks imprisonment he experienced was degrading, claiming he was treated like a criminal despite his innocence. He said conditions in the prison were so hot they caused him to lose consciousness. Van Persie uses Twitter to communicate with his fans.
