Offside News

Sports

Van Persie double rescues Gunners

Comment: 0 October 17th, 2011 by: admin

ROBIN van Persie once again underlined his importance for Arsenal.

The Dutch forward scored a double to power the Gunners to a 2-1 victory over Sunderland on Sunday that lifted the fans’ mood at the Emirates Stadium.

Van Persie had earlier insisted that he has no plans of doing a Cesc Fabregas or Samir Nasri and he made this commitment known by producing a sterling performance.

Arsenal’s third straight league win at the Emirates – and their fifth in all competitions – sent them to 10^th place in the standings as Arsene Wenger’s men gained confidence following a lethargic start in the season that saw them absorb losses including an 8-2 drubbing at Manchester United. Sunderland’s defeat put them a place just above the relegation zone.

In other matches on Sunday, West Bromwich Albion whipped arch rivals Wolves 2-0 in the Black Country derby at the Hawthorns to climb out of the relegation zone, while Newcastle United foiled Tottenham Hotspur from claiming a fifth consecutive triumph by coming up with a late equaliser for a 2-2 draw.

Goals from Chris Brunt and Peter Odemwingie carried West Brom through as they earned the bragging rights over their hated neighbours. Roy Hodgson’s side began the day third bottom of the table with just one win in their seven league assignments.

Van Persie put Arsenal ahead after just 29 seconds of play and then capped his heroics by adding another in the 83^rd with a superb effort from 25 yards that raised his goal tally this season to five (5).

Wenger was all praises for his captain after the fixture. “He made the difference with his skill which was just exceptional. He is a special football player.’’

Sunderland erred from the kick-off by giving the ball away. Gervinho crossed low into the penalty area and van Persie slotted past Simon Mignolet to convert the club’s fastest-ever Premier League goal and the quickest in the top-flight this season in nearly four years.

The struggling visitors equalised in the 31^st through winger Sebastian Larsson’s free kick but van Persie would not let the home fans down as he bended a marvellous free kick over the Sunderland wall and into the top corner for the clinching goal.

 

More