Robin van Persie

50 Top Soccer Player their trade today, based on a combination of current form, potential and overall ability.  Ranking  determined by a panel of contributors to ESPN's soccer.


Robin van Persie         Rank Player  25

Profile
Birth name                Robin van Persie
Birth date                 August 6, 1983
Birth place                Rotterdam, Netherlands
Height                      1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight                     160 lbs (72.4 kg)
Playing position        Striker/Forward
National team           Netherlands
Current club             Arsenal
Number                   10

Biography
Robin van Persie is a Dutch footballer who plays as a striker and Captain for Arsenal and the Dutch national team. He is a youth product of Feyenoord. Having joined Arsenal in 2004, Van Persie became the club captain on 16 August 2011.  His playing style and ability have drawn comparison to Dutch legend Marco van Basten.

Van Persie was handed his international debut in the summer of 2005, 12 months after moving to North London. He had been slowly brought into the Arsenal first team by Wenger, who was eager to transform him from a left-winger to a forward. By the time the 2006 World Cup came around, Van Persie had forced his way into the Dutch first team and he represented the country once again as they lost the final of the 2010 World Cup. 


Scouting thumbnail
Clever, lithe attacker who can play as a striker or in the hole. Needs work on his heading ability but possesses every other tool in pace, finishing and long-range shooting.


With pace and skill in abundance, this forward can change a game in an instant with his ability to achieve the improbable. He is technically excellent with the vision to unlock a defence too. Weaknesses: His injury problems have been well documented, and perhaps sometimes he takes the difficult option when a simple pass would suffice. Not great in the air and there have also been question marks over his temperament.

Robin van Persie