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Robin van Persie: Top five Arsenal goals

As his Premier League departure draws closer, Sports Mole picks out five of the best goals that Robin van Persie scored during his time with Arsenal.

Fenerbahce recently confirmed that they will unveil new signing Robin van Persie tomorrow afternoon.

The Dutch striker has made the switch to Istanbul from Manchester United, where he had spent the previous three seasons.

However, prior to arriving at Old Trafford, the 31-year-old fired in 132 goals during an eight-year stint with Arsenal, making him the club's eighth leading goalscorer of all time.

As Van Persie prepares to end his association with the Premier League, Sports Mole has picked out five of the best goals that he scored for the Gunners.


5. Wigan Athletic (January 2006)

Arsenal's Robin Van Persie (L) celebrates his goal against Wigan with Dennis Bergkamp (C) and Mathieu Flamini during their Carling Cup match at Arsenal's grounds, 24 January 2006© Getty Images

Wigan striker Jason Roberts may have stolen the headlines with a late goal that sent his side through to the final of the League Cup, but it was an encounter that saw a young Van Persie score with a memorable effort.

Visiting goalkeeper Mike Pollitt had a fine game between the posts, but he was helpless to preventing the Dutch forward's set-piece strike from curling into the top corner of the net. It looked like it was going to be a match-winning moment, but Roberts had other ideas.



4. Liverpool (March 2012)

Robin van Persie of Arsenal celebrates scoring the equalising goal with teammate Theo Walcott (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield on March 3, 2012© Getty Images

The hosting Merseysiders dominated much of the encounter at Anfield, but a clinical Van Persie, who scored twice, made them pay for not taking their chances - one of which saw his compatriot Dirk Kuyt fail to score from the penalty spot.

It seemed that for much of the 2011-12 Premier League campaign, Van Persie and midfielder Alex Song shared a telepathic understanding. That was evident in this encounter when in stoppage time, a chipped pass from the Cameroon international located his teammate, who side-footed a volley inside Pepe Reina's near post. The Liverpool goalkeeper was criticised by some pundits, but such was the power that Van Persie was able to generate, the Spaniard had little chance.



3. Blackburn (November 2005)

Robin van Persie of Arsenal celebrates scoring the third goal during the FA Barclays Premiership match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers at Highbury on November 26, 2005 © Getty Images

Goals from Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry had already sealed the three points for Arsenal at Highbury, but this goal from Van Persie was very much the icing on the cake.

Having advanced down the right touchline, he cut inside Blackburn duo Michael Gray and Robbie Savage, the latter of whom attempted to foul the Arsenal attacker. With no support inside the area and despite a seemingly impossible angle, Van Persie chanced his arm and he was rewarded when his shot flew into the net via the far post.



2. Everton (December 2011)

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

The aforementioned relationship between Van Persie and Song was again on show to sink visiting Everton at the Emirates Stadium on what was Arsenal's 125th anniversary.

With the score locked at 0-0 with 20 minutes remaining, Song curled a forward pass over the head of Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka. Having arranged his feet just in time, Van Persie capitalised on Jagielka's failure to read the flight of the ball to send an instant volley into the bottom corner.



1. Charlton Athletic (September 2006)

Robin Van Persie of Arsenal celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premiership match between Charlton Athletic and Arsenal at The Valley on September 30, 2006© Getty Images

Having been pegged back by Charlton striker Darren Bent, the Gunners set about getting themselves back in front at The Valley. Van Persie did just that, in spectacular fashion as well.

When Arsenal full-back Emmanuel Eboue floated a cross towards the edge of the home side's penalty area, there did not appear to be much danger. However, a sprinting Van Persie somehow managed to connect with a volley at around chest height that got the better of Charlton goalkeeper Scott Carson, who was left to flail at thin air.


You can view Sports Mole's top five Van Persie goals for Man United here.ID:233293: cacheID:233293:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10255:
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4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
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8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
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14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

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