Robin van Persie returned from injury to score a plethora of goals for Arsenal FC in 2011 and re-assert himself as one of the most gifted, elegant and productive strikers in the game. He has yet to stamp his class on a major tournament but will undoubtedly be one of the leading attractions at UEFA EURO 2012.

• As a teenager he won the UEFA Cup in his first full season at home-town club Feyenoord, producing a fine display in the final at De Kuip against Borussia Dortmund.

• Won the FA Cup in his first campaign at Arsenal, 2004/05, scoring twice in the semi-finals against Blackburn Rovers FC; reached the UEFA Champions League final the following season but had to settle for a place on the bench against FC Barcelona in Paris.

• An impressive FIFA World Cup in Germany followed, as he started all four matches and scored a spectacular free-kick against Ivory Coast.

• Was a key man for the Oranje at the start of UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying with four goals in three matches and returned from injury to score twice at the finals – against France and Romania.

• His 2009/10 season was wrecked by ankle ligament damage, sustained in a November friendly versus Italy; scored once, against Cameroon, in seven matches at the FIFA World Cup finals as the Netherlands finished runners-up to Spain.

• Finished as the 30-goal top scorer in the 2011/12 Premier League season, scoring hat-tricks against Chelsea FC and Blackburn, and was voted player of the year by the Football Writers' Association.

UEFA honours
UEFA Champions League: runner-up 2006
UEFA Cup: winner 2002