Top Gunner

Arsenal may have lost Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri in the summer, but where there’s Robin Van Persie there will always be considerable hope. The flying Dutchman scored yet another double in the Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, securing his side’s progression to the knockout phases.

In a side that has been classified as struggling for large parts of 2011, the 28-year-old’s personal statistics are little short of extraordinary.  His goal tally for the year now stands at 38 in 41 matches - only Lionel Messi and Ronaldo can compete with those figures at the highest European levels. And, it’s fair to say, they have a bit more quality around them.

Van Persie is 16/1 (Bet365) to finish top scorer in the Champions League this season; he has netted three, but with Messi (4/5 Skybet) and Mario Gomez (9/2 Coral) on six, that maybe unlikely.  However, with 31 Premier League goals in 29 appearances this calender year, most things do seem possible.

The Arsenal captain is 2/1 (Betfred) to end the 2011-12 campaign as the Premier League’s leading scorer. He had been a 28/1 shot in September, before the dazzling run of 11 in five league matches. He currently leads the way with 13, three ahead of Man City’s prolific pairing of Dzeko (6/1 Bet365) and Aguero (10/3 PaddyPower). Rooney (5/1 Bet365) is one further back on nine.

Van Persie has even caused a re-think on the assumption that the PFA Player of the Year Award is automatically heading to the Etihad Stadium. David Silva is still the 13/8 (VictorChandler) favourite but RVP has suddenly shot into contention. A 25/1 shot a month ago, Wenger’s prized asset is now 7/2 (StanJames) in the betting. It may depend on what trophies the respective teams have won by May.

For now though, punters can do a lot worse than simply backing a goal machine to keep firing. Van Persie is 8/11 (Coral) to score anytime at home to Fulham on Saturday and 3/1 (PaddyPower) in the first goalscorer market.

All odds given are best on the market. Simply click on any of the links, sign up with the relevant bookie and claim your free bets.