Robin van Persie
© 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.
 |
> | Top 25 Arsenal players of the Premier League era - #13 |
|
| < | Top 25 Arsenal players of the Premier League era - #15 |
Barney Corkhill
