• The winner of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and Football Writers' Association (FWA) player of the year awards in England thanks to a superb 2011/12 season with Arsenal FC, in which he topped the Premier League scoring charts with 30 goals, adding another seven in other competitions.

• Could not repeat that form at UEFA EURO 2012 but maintained his record of scoring at least once in each of the four major tournaments he has competed in with the Netherlands.

• Left Arsenal after eight years to join Manchester United FC on a four-year contract; found the net on his home debut against Fulham FC and reached the milestone of 100 Premier League goals with a match-turning hat-trick at Southampton FC (3-2).