Messi and Ronaldo are indisputably the world's finest attacking players but is Robin van Persie that far behind them? The flying Dutchman (warning: bad puns may continue) has scored 34 Premier League goals in 2011 from the same number of matches, and with two games left in the year he has every chance of setting a new league record.
With fixtures against Wolves and QPR still to come he needs three goals to beat Alan Shearer's total of 36 in 1995. What is even more remarkable is that if he is to set a new benchmark he will have to do it from six fewer games than England's balding finest. He is currently level with fellow Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, although the French player took 39 games to reach his final total.
Arsenal fans may well wonder what might have been had van Persie been able to take to the field more regularly during his seven years at the club. His career in North London has been blighted by injuries, limiting his contribution to the quest for silverware. Now, just as he is coming good, he lacks the support from his teammates but he works on regardless.
His goal tally from previous seasons was just four, five, 11, seven, 11 and nine. This then took a serious leap forward last season when he scored 18 times, incredibly all from January onwards after injury had ruled him out of the start of the campaign. Given he has 16 already this season he looks certain to improve on that mark and if he can do so over these next two games then Shearer's 16-year-old record will be broken.
At 28 he is at his at his peak and with his fitness being carefully managed by Wenger and the Emirates staff he should be able to feature to some degree in most of his side's fixtures. He has always had the talent but injuries prevented him from realising it. He looks a sure bet to be the top goalscorer in the Premier League this season and is the bookies' favourite at odds of 7/4. He began the season as 10/1 second favourite behind Wayne Rooney but as the goals have flown in his odds have tumbled.
He is excellent in the air, has a left foot capable of both supreme power and sublime skill, has improved his right foot (previously known as his "chocolate leg" - maybe that works better in Dutch?), good strength for a relatively slight player and typical Dutch football intelligence.
So, how far behind the two greats of La Liga is he? He clearly lacks the searing pace and acceleration of Messi and Ronaldo and cannot quite control a game the same way they can with their dribbling ability. However, his finishing is certainly comparable and it is worth noting that his goal feats have come in a side that, relatively, is struggling. In contrast the Argentine forward and Portguese...err, Pummeler, play surrounded by world class players in sides that regularly score five, six and more goals.
We wish van Persie good luck in his quest. In a side stripped of two of its finest creative players he has stepped up to the plate admirably and done so with humility, always praising his colleagues. Can he smash the record with a hat-trick against Wolves? The odds are 10/1 and we might just have a little bet on that.
About the author David is the Sports Editor at http://www.freebetsfreetips.com/ where there are loads of free bets, sporting previews, sports news stories and the latest bookmaker offers.
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