CELEBRATION COACH?

On 21 January 2007, Arsenal staged a dramatic comeback win against Manchester United at the Emirates, but the Gunners paid a steep price for the three points (and in ridiculous fashion).

United entered the match at the top of table, 15 points clear of fourth-place Arsenal and were looking to avenge their 0-1 loss to the Gunners the previous September. United had their chances in the first half, but were repeatedly denied by Arsenal keeper, Jens Lehmann. They took a deserved lead in the second half, however, when United's Wayne Rooney scored with an unmarked header in the 59th minute.

The Gunners continued to attack and received an 83rd-minute equalizer from striker Robin van Persie, who had come on in the 67th minute. Ten minutes later, with United visibly tired and frustrated, Thierry Henry headed in the gamewinner.

Arsenal's joy at the win was dampened when it was later revealed that van Persie broke a bone in his foot while celebrating his goal. The season-ending injury was a crushing blow, as the Dutchman was the Gunners' leading scorer at the time. Arsenal won only 8 of their next 23 matches in all competitions and finished the season without any silverware. he will be 41 years old this summer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah6ymlhkelw

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2004	Feyenoord	61	(14)
2004–2012	Arsenal	194	(96)
2012–2015	Manchester Utd	86	(48)
2015–2018	Fenerbahce	57	(25)
2018–2019	Feyenoord	37	(21)
Total		435	(204)

Van Persie was born in Rotterdam to an artistic family. His mother, José Ras, is a painter and jewellery designer who also teaches special needs children. His father, Bob, is a sculptor. After Van Persie's parents divorced he was brought up by his father. At school, Van Persie had serious problems with his behaviour and was excluded from class almost daily.

International career
2000	Netherland U17	6	(0)
2001	Netherland U19	6	(0)
2002–2005	Netherland U21	12	(1)
2005–2017	Netherland	102	(50)
Managerial career
2020–	Feyenoord (assistant)
2021–2023	Feyenhoord U16 (co-head coach)
2023–	Feyenoord U19 (co-head coach)