RvP: I can score every game I play
Published 22:28 30/10/11 By John Cross
Robin van Persie is so full of confidence he is certain he will get a goal each time he plays.
His brilliant hat-trick at Chelsea made it 29 in 28 Premier League games in 2011, nine in his last five matches and 33 in 37 fixtures this calendar year.
Whichever statistic takes your fancy, it makes van Persie the most prolific striker in the top flight here. The debate is now about where he stands in the world order.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are arguably in a class of their own. But van Persie’s influence on a team certainly makes a strong case for him to be considered among the best.
The Dutchman stole the show in the 5-3 victory at Stamford Bridge and has been the driving force behind Arsenal’s remarkable revival. This was their eighth win in nine games.
After the second hat-trick of his career and a wonderful all-round display, van Persie said: “I feel I can score every time I go out on to the pitch.
“For me it’s just the best feeling to have. It doesn’t really matter against who we play, we always create chances so that means I always have a go. Then it’s up to me to score.
“I’ll miss chances, but I’ll score them as well. To have that feeling is one of the best things in life.”
Few believed Arsene Wenger when the Arsenal manager was claiming his side were back. Beating Shrewsbury, Bolton and Sunderland was one thing but the trip to Chelsea quite another.
No one left Stamford Bridge convinced by Arsenal’s defending – or Chelsea’s. Both teams looked as if they would concede every time the ball was in their box.
But forget the shambles at the back for a moment. Appreciate the attacking play and remember Arsenal twice came from behind and refused to buckle when Chelsea levelled with 10 minutes left.
Two late van Persie goals completed a superb away win, with Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott (inset) also outstanding – the trio running Chelsea ragged on the counter- attack.
Van Persie was quick to praise Arsenal’s spirit and insisted they should be taken seriously again after their disastrous start to the campaign.
He said: “I think we’ve been having a good run for almost two months now. A bit quiet, not many people have noticed it.
“But we won eight games out of nine and to win this one sets a standard. Everyone realises we can now do it against any team.
“It’s one of the craziest games I’ve been involved in. Eight goals says it all. They missed a couple of big chances and so did we.
“I had a feeling both teams could score from every angle, every minute of the game. Strange game, but fun as well.
“To score five goals here is a big achievement, and especially because we had to come back twice.
“Then 10 minutes before time they scored another equaliser. It’s very hard to regroup again and go for the fourth. Two big blows.
“But we did it, we came back and showed character. To score five goals at Stamford Bridge is a big thing, we can be very proud.”
